There has been a dramatic surge in interest recently, amongst the public and health professionals alike, of the health effects of omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish/fish oils – consisting of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plus eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA is required in high levels in the brain and retina as a physiologically-essential nutrient to provide for optimal neuronal functioning (learning ability, mental development) and visual acuity, in young and old alike. DHA plus EPA are both considered to have beneficial effects in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease plus associated risk factors as well as other chronic disorders. Whereas considerable amounts of the plant-derived omega-3 fatty acid known as a-linolenic acid (ALA) is consumed daily in North America (approximately 2 g/day), the physiologically-essential nutrient, DHA, is consumed at much smaller levels (approximately 80 mg/day) while EPA is consumed at the level of approximately 50 mg/day in a typical North American diet.

DHA plus EPA are absent from plant food sources rich in ALA (such as flax, canola oil, and walnuts). Since the metabolic conversion of ALA to DHA/EPA (combined) by metabolism is very limited in humans, the most direct way of providing DHA plus EPA for the body is via their direct consumption. Current intakes of DHA are approximately 20% of the target (300 mg/day) suggested by an expert scientific group during pregnancy and lactation. The extremely low intake of DHA in young children (e.g., approximately 19 mg DHA/day on average for 3-yr. olds in North America ) is also of particular concern. Current intakes of DHA/EPA (combined) of 130 mg/day are approximately 15% of the target (900 mg/day) officially recommended by the American Heart Association for those with coronary heart disease and 20% of the 650 mg/day advised by an expert scientific group for healthy individuals. In view of the widespread reluctance of the public to consume sufficient amounts of fish, functional foods containing DHA plus EPA will become increasingly important sources of these important nutrients in the coming years to support optimal brain/visual performance, for cardio care, and other health conditions for young and old alike.

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What’s important to note from this article is that Omega-3s are essential foods needed for health and especially needed for optimal health. You just can’t live well without it. As kids and teenagers, our bodies seem for the most part, indestructible. The life force is strong and abundant. You see this every Spring, when the grasses and weeds begin to grow. You can plaster concrete 8 inches deep and lo and behold within a short amount of time, grass finds its way through the cracks and crevices seeking sunlight and oxygen. So it is in the Spring time of youth, we find ourselves more powerful than a speeding locomotive, we feel like we can leap over tall buildings with a single bound. Yes, we are super men and women in the prime of life.

However, time marches forward and our bodies begin to wear. Certain stresses on the body begin to take their toll and the death knell begins and the doomsday clock edges closer to our own human demise.

Recently I was at an event of baby boomers. Now some were well worn from years of toil and labor, years of drinking and smoking, years of ingesting the American diet. It showed clearly in the waistlines, the sagging neck lines. Turtlenecks were needed to cover the turtle necks, if you know what I mean. But some boomers, some but not all, wore their age extremely well. Some were fit and toned. Some were energetic and exuberant. They were not indulging themselves in gluttony. They were sleeping early and early to rise o the hotel’s gym. They were sensible in what they ate and in what they drank.

All these observations were meaningful in that the sins of neglect are painted with thick lines on the bodies of those who thought they still had time to make the changes, only to find out they were just a little too late, a little too tired, and a little too sick.

My obvious point is to take care of yourself today and this week, this month, this year. Today is the only day you can live so make the commitment to live it well. Keep it real. My little trick is to tie the behaviors to triggers. Every time I get hungry, I go for my supplements first make sure I take all the appropriate vitamins and minerals I am working on and then I find a nutritious snack or meal to the extent that circumstances allow.

Do first things first, like taking Calamarine everyday. It’s the daily doing of simple things that can yield extraordinary results.

-Garey