Canadians need to boost their Omega-3 intake

The study published this April in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, revealed that 4 out of 10 Canadians have an Omega-3 blood level that’s associated with a high risk of coronary heart disease. Moving into the low risk zone, the researchers say, would require eating considerably more fish than current dietary guidelines advise.


The Omega-3 Index (OI) is a measure of the amount of EPA and DHA in red blood cell membranes; it’s expressed as a percentage of the total amount of fatty acids present. An OI of less than 4 per cent is considered high risk for coronary heart disease, 4 to 8 per cent is intermediate risk and over 8 per cent is optimal or cardioprotective.


The average Canadian adult had an OI of 4.5 per cent, indicating intermediate risk. Almost 40 per cent of Canadians were in the high risk category and only 2 per cent had omega-3 levels in the optimal range.


Global Omega 3 Status Map
Source: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/article-canadians-need-to-boost-their-omega-3-intake