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Saturday 6 November 2010

Omega 3

reposted from: http://www.waitrose.com/food/healthandnutrition/healthyeating/varyingyourdiet/knowyournutrients/fatsandomega3.aspx

Omega 3 fats are essential to health. Found mainly in oily fish, they improve heart health and brain function.

The recommended daily intake of essential fatty acids, including Omega 3 and Omega 6, has been set by the Government at six per cent of our dietary energy total.

It has also recommended a weekly Omega 3 target of 1.5g. (1)

Department of Health guidelines state that we should all eat at least two portions of fish every week, and one of those portions should be oily fish, such as salmon or mackerel.

Surveys show that most people currently only eat one third of a portion of oil-rich fish per week (2) and are therefore falling short of the recommended intake and the associated health benefits of Omega 3 fats.




References

1) Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom (1991). Report of the panel on DRVs to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA).
2) National Diet and Nutrition Survey Adults aged 19 to 64, Volume 1 (2002).

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