The Essentials

Supplementation is a tricky thing.  There are so many questions, "How much vitamin D do I really need?", "What form of calcium should I take?", but the one constant is our body's need for essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are otherwise known as Omega-3's and Omega-6's, and although most of the vitamins that our body does not make on its own can be provided through a diet rich in fruits and veggies there are very few sources of essential fatty acids.  One needs to consume these Omega-3's and Omega-6's in a 2:1 ratio, respectively.  We get plenty of Omega-6's in our everyday diet, they include vegetable and seed oils, soybean and corn oils, meat, certain fish and eggs.  The problem arises with the Omega-3's.  Although there are some Omega-3's found in flaxseed oils, chia seeds and some leafy greens, the fundamental Omega-3's come only from oily, cold water fish such as tuna, herring, sardines, anchovies, and algae. 

A recent Harvard University study revealed that there are 93,000 annual deaths from insufficient consumption of  Omega-3's.  According to the American Heart Association we should eat fish twice a week if we have no history of heart disease.  If fish is not a regular component in your diet, you may need to start thinking about Omega-3 supplementation.

This month Nordic Naturals is on sale through our Co-op Deals program.  Quality is extremely important when it comes to fish oil supplementation and with increasing pollution, especially PCB's in our water, and excessive heavy metals such as mercury concentrating in our fish, choosing a safe fish oil can be a challenge.  Nordic Naturals is at the forefront in pureness of product, they are regularly chosen by universities for use in their clinical research, and at any time you can call Nordic Naturals to receive a Certificate of Analysis which will include the freshness, purity, and potency for the particular batch of fish oil you purchased.

I never tire of discussing fish oils and how they work in our bodies, feel free to pull me aside at any time if you want more information on this great supplement.  And remember: they are essential!