Two of the world’s best-respected omega-3 researchers – William E. Lands, PhD and psychiatrist Joseph Hibbeln, MD – were part of a team from the US National Institutes of Health that set out to calculate the omega-3 intake needs of people in 13 countries, including America. The population studies performed drew strong connections between low intake of omega-3 fatty acids and increased risk of depression, anxiety, and related mood disorders.
The study showed that by contrast with the other countries, the average American’s diet is grossly imbalanced in favor of omega-6 fatty acids, which are concentrated:
* The vegetable oils most commonly used in homes and in packaged or restaurant foods (corn, canola, soy, safflower, sunflower)
* Butter
* Eggs (except high-omega-3 eggs from flaxseed-fed hens)
* Soy milk
* Poultry (especially fatty parts)
* Red meats (pork, lamb, and beef, except grass-fed beef)
This study shows that most Americans need to boost omega-3 intake to 3.5 gm per day to match Japan’s low rates of heart disease and depression.
This is just over the amount found in a 6-oz serving of King Salmon, Sardines, or Sablefish
The study was first to consider Americans’ excessive intake of metabolically competitive omega-6 fats. Cutting average omega-6 intake by 80 percent would drop the need for omega-3s to just 350 mg per day.
I already consume wild salmon at least 2 times/week in addition to 3,000mg of fish oil supplements. How about you?