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Omega-3 and the Oil Spill

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The Associated Press has recently reported that America’s largest producer of omega-3 fish oil - Omega Protein Corporation - has filed a claim with BP for reimbursement of costs or lost profits from the oil spill on the Gulf Coast.  Its total fish catch in the Gulf of Mexico was 68 percent of its fish catch plan for the year, based on data through July 9, 2010. Omega Protein did not specify how much money it was asking the British oil maker for. The company said its fishing has been affected by closures of fishing grounds due to the oil spill. Omega Protein has sent some ships elsewhere or increased fishing with certain vessels.  No exact measure on how the oil itself will affect the fisheries in years to come. 

While nobody could have predicted this disaster, most of the large scale fish oil manufacturers should have long ago researched alternative, sustainable resources for the production of fish oil.  Fish oil is largely considered as a “panacea” - known to be a natural “miracle” in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, enhancement of brain and nervous system development, hormonal regulation, immune balance, etc. Shares of Omega Protein, which is based in Houston, recently rose 6 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $5.03. Due to its significant aforementioned health benefits and ongoing research, intake of omega-3 fatty acids will continue to increase in years to come.

Other than possible contamination by oil, there is a downside to the masses taking interest in this super nutrient. The primary source of this important nutrient is obviously fish.  But, global fisheries have largely been mismanaged over the past century. In North America, omega-3 rich fish such as cod, salmon, tuna and shark are threatened by over fishing. Alongside this threat is the fact the fact our oceans have become polluted with more than just oil, which makes over consumption of fish a significant source of known carcinogens including mercury, PCBs and dioxins. Recent research shows that there is no safe level of mercury. 

To overcome the risk of these contaminants, several brands of fish oil supplements have purified the oil and are creating a safe and convenient way to get your omega-3s. The most significant threat to global fisheries is the world's demand for meat. Farmed fish, cattle, poultry and pigs are feed a diet of fishmeal and fish oil. Catching fish and rendering it to fish meal for the sole purpose of feeding other animals is known to be an ecologically unsound initiative. For instance, it takes four pounds of fish meal to grown one pound of farmed salmon. Ludicrous.  And even though fish oil supplements account for a very small percentage of the total fish meal/fish oil industry, it will suffer the same fate if consumption of farmed raised animals and fish do not decrease.

The health hazards of a diet high in animal protein have been well documented.  However the most significant health hazard may be the effect it will have on future supplies of fish and including the fish oil supplements. To address this growing environmental concern some companies are starting to develop what may become the new "fish oil." Interestingly, these products aren't even from fish.  But they are, however, the plant equivalent to fish oil featuring a combination of omega-3 sources that provide the body with the same benefits of fish oil. 

Vegetarian sources of omega-3 are not new, though.  Nor are plant sources of omega-3. Common plant, grain, nut and seed sources include flax, hemp, pumpkin, borage and canola. These plant based omega-3 sources differ from fish in that they provide omega-3 fats in a form called ALA whereas fish provide the body with the bioactive forms EPA and DHA. They are also too heavily skewed in amounts of omega-6 and omega-9 oils that most of us get excess levels of in our diet as it is. And, where the human body can convert ALA to EPA and DHA from these nut, seed, plant, and grain sources, the rate of this conversion is very low. 

Here is a fact most people don’t know: omega-3 constituents EPA and DHA are not an exclusive ingredients in fish.  The source of DHA in fish originates from the fish’s consumption of algae. So algae can be used in formula’s to provide the DHA.  The DHA rich algae are grown in large tanks similar to the way beer is made. Instead of producing alcohol the algae produce DHA.

To provide a source of EPA, certain developers of consumer-based products are introducing a unique plant called ‘echium’ (see picture inset). The plant echium is native to many parts of the world and often referred to as a weed. What we know about weeds is that they grow extremely efficiently and do not generally require the use of pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Echium is a rare source of the omega-3 Stearidonic acid (SDA). Whereas the omega-3 ALA, found in flax, converts poorly to EPA the omega-3, SDA found in echium converts efficiently and rapidly to EPA and therefore provides the body with DHA and EPA in a potency similar to fish oil.

Translation: an equally healthy and sustainable solution that uses very little energy and is a viable replacement as your next serving of fish oil (and without the taste of any ‘BP seasoning’ 

 "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." (Brundtland, WCED, 1987)

 

Bryce Wylde
Is one of Canada's leading experts on natural medicine. He is the author of The Antioxidant Prescription and host of Wylde On Health on CP24. 
www.homeopathicdoctor.ca


Comments (1)

ElenaHalle G.
Said this on 3-16-2011 At 01:01 am

Essential source of vitamins. Hopes that fish oil could possibly be a weapon within the battle against Alzheimer's disease were dashed Tues. Clinical trials tested the viability of omega-3 to fight the mental decline of Alzheimer's. There was no distinction between the supplements and the placebo. Omega-3 fish-oil has been touted as a treatment for Alzheimer’s because people with a diet rich in fish demonstrate a lesser tendency to suffer from dementia .

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