Only 10% of Irish people eat enough fish
Posted by Eamonn Brady on
According to a report in the Irish Times in April 2012, an IPSOS/MRBI survey found 89% of Irish people do not eat enough salmon, fresh tuna, sardines or trout to ensure that they receive the required dose of Omega 3.
Which is more important: Omega 3, 6 or 9?
Omega-6 and 9’s can be found abundantly in many of our common vegetable cooking oils, but not olive oil. Omega 6 and 9 are common ingredients in many of the foods we eat. Irish diets tend to be lacking in Omega 3 so it is more important to supplement with Omega 3 than Omega 6 and 9. This is especially important for those who do not eat much fish.
Omega 3
Fish oil is recommended for a healthy diet because it contains the omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), precursors to eicosanoids that reduce inflammation throughout the body. Omega 3 fatty acids are primarily found in oily fish such as salmon, fresh tuna, mackerel, herring, sardines and pilchards. We should eat two portions of fish per week, one of them oily. Flaxseed oil which is also known as linseed oil is six times richer than most fish oils in and its oil are perhaps the most widely available botanical source of omega 3.
Which fish oil to choose?
The best way to get fish oils is naturally through your diet. For people who do not eat sufficient fish oils, I recommend a fish oil supplement called MorEPA® as it contains the highest level of pure omega 3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) of any fish oil supplement on the market. PlusEPA® is a potent omega 3 supplement specifically designed to ease symptoms of mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. For those suffering from joint pain and inflammatory conditions like arthritis, I find that a fish oil supplement called Lyprinol® gives relief in many people as it has a more potent anti-inflammatory effects than other fish oils. Fish oils should never be considered an alternative to proper medical intervention.
Whelehans Nutrition Service
Whelehans nutrition service is a friendly, flexible and affordable service offering one to one consultations with follow up programmes and weekly monitoring. Suitable for men, women and children. Call our Nutritionist Caroline Masters on 086-3994615 or email her at nutrition@whelehans.ie or call Whelehans Pharmacy, Pearse Street on 044 9334591.
For comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans, log on to www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591 (Pearse St) or 04493 10266 (Clonmore). Find us on Facebook.
Disclaimer: The advice in this article is very general. Supplements are not a substitute for a balance diet. For more specific advice and information on diet and food, you should speak to a dietician or nutritionist