Omega-3 and CVD costs
Sticking with omega-3s, a paper published in Nutrients reported that about 95% of Americans may have sub-optimal levels of omega-3s, putting them at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicated that 95.7% of a nationally representative sample of Americans has an omega-3 index – a quantification of the fatty acid status of a person – below 4%, reported to be a high risk indicator for coronary heart disease.
‘Disconcerting but not surprising’
Commenting independently on the study, GOED’s Harry Rice, PhD, said that the results were disconcerting but not a surprise.
“They reinforce that low EPA/DHA intake has reached epidemic proportions in the US. There's only one way to get out of the dire straits into which we've gotten ourselves. Increase EPA/DHA intake! Clearly, results from this study support the need for a DRI for EPA+DHA.”
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