By now, every health-conscious person has heard of, if not yet tried, Omega-3, a group of fatty acids that play a role in maintaining and improving human health. Omega-3 is reported to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and associated outcomes such as heart attacks and strokes.
What many people don’t know is where to find Omega-3. It is not synthesized (manufactured) in the human body, it must be consumed as part of a well-rounded diet. The type of Omega-3 that comes from plants is usually plentiful in the foods we eat. The type from marine-based sources is usually not and must be consciously supplemented in diet. It is well known to come from seafood made of fatty fish such as sardines and herring, and Omega-3 capsules in pharmacies typically contain oils sourced from marine animals and plants.
Improving consumer awareness of the importance of Omega-3 in our diets is the goal of International Omega-3 Awareness Day, celebrated each year on March 3 (of course). This annual effort began in 2010, originating by Dr. Carol Locke, founder of the nonprofit organization OmegaBright, which supports education in, and knowledge of, the benefits of Omega-3.
Now renamed Global Omega-3 Day but still held on the 3rd day of the 3rd month, this effort promotes many important positives about Omega-3, such as:
– Omega-3s are key to the structure of every cell in the body.
– These nutrients act as an energy source to keep the major organs working properOmega-3s are particularly important to the eyes as well as the brain.
– These fatty acids are vital in supporting pregnancies so babies can grow in a healthy manner.
While fish and seafood continue to be promoted as Omega-3 sources, seaweed is often vastly underappreciated, because many people don’t think of seaweed as a food. In a serving of salad, for example, the seaweed (in any of its colorful red, green, and brown varieties) typically contains 4% fat, 50% of which is Omega-3. (It is nearly “bad-fat” free!)
Therefore, Global Omega-3 Day this year and in the future will shine a light on an extremely underutilized source of an extremely important dietary ingredient, Omega-3.