Why do we need Omega 3?

The Government recommends we eat oily fish at least twice a week.  

Both omega 3 and omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids are classified as "essential" for health and indeed we need both in an intake ratio of about 1:1. Human evolution happened at a time when food availability was entirely different. Our ancestors ate diets with equal quantities of omega 6 to omega 3. This is probably why omega 3 has such an important role in human physiology.

With the advent of agriculture, the feeding of livestock on grains, the reduction in fish eating and latterly the wide availability of convenience foods which feature grain and seed oils, the ratio of these two fatty acids in the diet has swung dramatically in favour of omega 6, in fact the ratio has gone from 1:1 up to 15:1 omega 6 to omega 3. Our health is struggling as a result. Ideally everyone should have a minimum of 2 - 3 grams omega 3 per day.

Why are Omega 3’s so beneficial?

When we ingest omega 3 our body breaks the fatty acids down to 2 other fatty acids - EPA and DHA, which our body uses for essential activity

Will fish oil make me fat?

No! 2 grams of omega 3 would only contain 18 calories and does not get laid down as fat

The Health Benefits of DHA/EPA

1. Brain: The brain is largely composed of lipids (fats), DHA is essential for the healthy development of brain and eye tissue in children. Shortage of both DHA and EPA has been linked to developmental and behavioural disorders in children, and supplementation of both in sufferers has shown spectacular improvement in both these areas

2. Heart: The omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil help to prevent heart disease through a variety of actions. They: Prevent arrhythmias, help form heart protective hormones, have anti-inflammatory properties, inhibit inflammatory potentiators, are anti-thrombotic, have ability to lower blood fats, inhibit plaque formation in the blood, reduce cholesterol

Even total mortality has been improved in several studies in which the omega-3 fatty acid was increased. In one study, men who consumed salmon twice a week had a 70% less likelihood of cardiac arrest than those who ate less or no fish at all

3. Lungs: Helps the body to form anti-inflammatory hormones, helping to prevent allergic reactions and reduce the incidence of inflammatory respiratory disease

4. Skin: Helps keep skin supple, youthful and prevent dryness, premature ageing and line formation

5. Fertility: DHA and EPA support the health of the reproductive system (ovaries and uterus) as well as encouraging healthy sperm production

6. Joints: Its anti-inflammatory action helps with arthritis and joint problems

7. Circulation: Helps keep blood flowing and make it less sticky. Oily fish do not freeze in frozen seas due to the "anti-freeze" effect of these essential fatty acids

What about Supplements?

Both cod liver oil and whole-body fish oil contain good levels of EPA and DHA. However, sadly many of our oceans are now polluted and these pollutants collect in the livers of oily fish. Hence there is always likely to be a greater risk of pollutants in fish liver oils than in whole body fish oils. All fish oil products sold by Jersey Foodstate are absolutely clean, stable and have no trace of any of the ocean pollutants, heavy metals etc. (Detection is now possible in parts per million).

The Jersey Foodstate High Potency Fish Oil Capsules provides 550mg EPA/DHA per 1000mg capsule. This is a much higher level of actives than most capsules will give you. 1 per day will suffice the needs of most people although some of you might like to take 2 per day. 1 x 1000mg New High Potency Fish Oil capsule gives you the equivalent DHA/EPA normally contained in 2,000mg of oil