AHA Endorses DHA/EPA

DALLASThe American Heart Association (AHA) recommended omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake for elevated triglyceride levels for the first time in a statement (Circulation. 2011 Apr 18. DOI 10.1161/CIR.0b013e3182160726). According to the AHA, more than 31 percent of the U.S. population has borderline high triglyceride levels.  Furthermore, AHA's 2006 statistical data estimated that 81,100,000 people in the United States have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD), claiming 831,272 lives in that same year.

In conjunction with other important lifestyle changes, the AHA recommended 0.5 to 1g of omega-3 EPA and DHA for individuals with borderline fasting triglyceride levels (150 to 199mg/dL), 1 - 2g for individuals with high fasting-triglyceride levels (200 to 499mg/dL), and 2 to 4g for individuals with very high fasting-triglyceride levels (≥500mg/dL). The AHA has also previously recommended normal healthy individuals consume a variety of fish (preferably oily), and a daily intake of 1g of omega-3 EPA and DHA for patients with documented coronary heart disease (CHD).

The recent statement issued by AHA is a very positive step for improving consumers' understanding of the role of triglycerides in CVD management," according to a statement released by Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited (ONC), Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The company noted awareness of the health benefits of omega-3 is high among consumers, but many still do not understand the different forms of omega-3 (EPA, DHA and ALA), or the health benefits of each.  It is important for consumers to understand that fish provides both EPA and DHA, whereas most algae sources provide only DHA," ONC added. Furthermore, while ALA is an essential fatty acid, many of the reported health benefits associated with omega-3 have been the result of supplementation with EPA and DHA. While the body can theoretically convert ALA into EPA and DHA, the actual conversion rate is very low. In fact, many studies suggest that the conversion rate can be as low as 1 percent or less.  As such, fish, fish oil supplements, and food products fortified with fish oil are the best sources of omega-3 for consumers"

ONC is a privately held company, whose major shareholder is Clearwater Fine Foods Inc.  Clearwater Fine Foods is a diversified holding/investment company whose significant holdings include a controlling interest in Clearwater Seafood's Limited Partnership, an integrated shellfish harvester and processor.

ONC is a supplier of omega-3 EPA/DHA ingredients from fish oil, marketed into the dietary supplement and food manufacturing markets.  To date, MEG-3® ingredients have been included in more than 96 billion servings of food and supplement products worldwide.