The document discusses the importance of omega-3 fatty acids for health. It notes that while cod liver oil contains vitamins D and A along with omega-3, the ratios of these vitamins may not be optimal. Recent studies have shown risks associated with high vitamin A intake from supplements. Omega-3 deficiency is estimated to cause 72,000-96,000 preventable deaths annually in the US. The document outlines many benefits of adequate omega-3 intake for conditions like depression, heart disease, and cognitive decline. It recommends obtaining omega-3 from fish like salmon due to concerns about mercury in other fish.

1. Omega 3 - Fish oil.

2. • My previous recommendation was based on the
fact that cod liver oil contains vitamins D and A in
addition to healthy omega-3 fats. These vitamins
are essential for most everyone who cannot get
regular sun exposure year-round.
• But more recent research has discovered that the
ratios of these two vitamins may be of
paramount importance in order to extract
optimal health benefits, and unfortunately,
modern cod liver oil does not supply these
vitamins in healthy ratios to each other.

3. • Primary Justification Why You Should AVOID Cod
Liver Oil.
• There have been two recent meta-
analyses done. The first one showed that
people who took vitamin A supplements
in cod liver oil, or in supplements, had
an 18 percent increase in death rates.
The other study showed that unlike third
world countries where vitamin A
supplementation appears to decrease
infections, vitamin A supplementation in
developed countries like the U.S. actually
increases infections.

4. • Omega-3 deficiency is the sixth biggest
killer of Americans, according to a new
study. The study determined that there
were 72,000-96,000 preventable deaths
each year due to omega-3 deficiency,
highlighting the importance of establishing
a dietary reference intake (DRI) for omega-
3 forms such as EPA (eicosa pentaenoic
acid) and DHA (docosa hexaenoic acid).

5. • People with chronic kidney disease (CKD),
which increases the risk of heart disease,
experienced improvements in both blood
pressure and heart rate following
supplementation with four grams of omega-
3 fats. Researchers have shown that
depressed patients have, on average, lower
levels of omega-3 in their blood than non
depressed individuals. A greater severity of
depression is also linked to lower levels of
omega-3. A number of well-controlled
depression treatment studies have found
therapeutic benefits following omega-3
supplementation.

6. • Compare that to the estimated 40,000 women who
die from breast cancer each year in the U.S. and the
implications of omega-3 deficiency becomes quite
clear. As mentioned above, omega-3 deficiency is
likely the sixth biggest killer of Americans. Omega-3
fats tend to reduce cancer cell growth while highly
processed and toxic omega-6 fats have been found to
cause cancer growth.
• So considering the fact that omega-3 deficiency is a
common underlying factor for two of our deadliest
diseases: cancer and heart disease, it’s no wonder
the latest statistic shows omega-3 deficiency may be
responsible for a staggering nearly 100,000 deaths
per year.

7. • Why You Don’t Want to Be Deficient in Omega-3’s
• Last year, three other studies also highlighted the vital importance of omega-3 fats for
optimal health, underscoring the importance of maintaining a high dietary omega-3 intake
throughout your life.
• The results showed that low concentrations of EPA and DHA resulted in an increased risk of
• death from all causes and accelerated cognitive decline. Those suffering from depression
have also been found to have lower levels of omega-3 in their blood than non depressed
individuals.
• It’s even been found to save the lives of children suffering from short bowel syndrome (SBS),
and tests on children with learning disabilities has shown omega-3 to be an effective
treatment.
• So the benefits of omega-3 fats truly run the gamut, from mental and behavioral health at
any age, to preventing premature death from any number of diseases, including:
• Coronary heart disease and stroke
• Essential fatty acid deficiency in infancy (retinal and brain development)
• Autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus and nephropathy)
• Crohn’s disease
• Cancers of the breast, colon, and prostate
• Mild hypertension
• Rheumatoid arthritis

8. • Children's diets today may be inadequate for
their basic needs.
• According to a study, children are suffering
behavioral and learning disorders because their
diets are deficient in vital nutrients needed for
their brains to function normally.
• One such vital nutrient: Omega-3 fatty acids
found in fish oils.
• The study revealed some 40 percent of children
showed significant improvements in reading and
spelling when given fish oil supplements. (Fish
oils contain omega-3s that are essential for brain
development and function but are lacking in
modern processed diets.)

9. • The Study
• Researchers studied close to 120 British children (ages 5-12) who
were judged to be normal but were labeled underachievers and
believed to have dyspraxia--a condition that encompasses problems
with motor skills and coordination that frequently overlaps with
dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism.
• Half of the children analyzed were given fish oil supplements over
three months, while the other half were given placebos of olive oil.
After three months, the placebo group was also given the
supplements.
• The Results
• Children who took fish oil supplements made about three times the
amount of progress in their reading skills than those who took the
placebo.
• Similar boosts in progress were seen in the placebo group when
they switched to active supplements.
• Further, while none of the kids involved in the study had been
diagnosed with ADHD, one-third of them demonstrated enough
problems to place them in this category. However, after three
months of taking fish oil, half of them showed such significant
improvements that they no longer fell into this category.

10. • Their additional effects on brain and nervous system
function are, indeed, reason enough to make sure we all get
an adequate supply of them throughout our lives. You see,
generally our diet contains far too much omega-6 fat (found
in margarine and vegetable and sunflower oils). Experts
looking at the dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty
acids suggest that in early human history the ratio was
about 1:1. Currently most Americans eat a dietary ratio
that falls between 20:1 and 50:1! The optimal ratio is most
likely closer to the original ratio of 1:1.
• For most of us this means greatly reducing the omega-6
fatty acids we consume and increasing the amount of
omega-3 fatty acids such as those found in fish oil.
• And, as mentioned above, while fish WOULD BE an
excellent omega-3 source, mercury levels in almost all fish
have now hit dangerously high levels across the world, and
the risk of this mercury to your health now outweighs the
fish's omega-3 benefits.

11. • Among the salmon's
outstanding nutritional
benefits are high levels of
omega-3 with DHA and EPA.
• These two fatty acids are
pivotal in preventing heart
disease, cancer and many
other diseases.