Are you considering adding a fish oil supplement to your diet?

Here are some of the facts: According to the Centers for Disease Control and the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease—specifically coronary artery disease—is still the number one cause of death of men and women in the United States. And while it was once considered a man’s disease, today more women than men die from heart disease. And unfortunately, at least 100 million Americans have one or more risk factors for heart disease. To reduce the risk of heart disease, the AHA recommends eating two servings of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids each week. But most Americans eat fish only three times per month or less. Moreover, there are growing concerns about unsafe levels of contaminants such as mercury and lead that are now commonly found in many fish.

Did You Know:

Over 4,500 research studies on omega-3 fatty acids’ effects on overall health have been conducted in the last 25 years.

•  The average American intake of EPA and DHA is only 0.1 to 0.2 g/day, even though the American Heart Association recommends at least two fish meals per week to provide an intake of about 0.3 to 0.5 g/day of EPA and DHA.
•  Most American diets provide more than ten times as much omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids, even though there is general scientific agreement that individuals should consume more omega-3 and less omega-6 fatty acids to promote good health.
•  Research shows that high levels of omega-3 fatty acids promote cardiovascular health and help retain normal blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
•  According to the AHA, certain types of fish may contain high levels of mercury, PCBs, dioxins, and other environmental contaminants. Generally, older and larger fish contain higher levels of contaminants.

The following is taken from an article by Dr. Andrew Weil:

New research from England suggests that fish oil may help slow the progression of osteoarthritis – the “wear and tear” version of arthritis that often is an unwelcome feature of getting older. In fact, based on their study in guinea pigs, the investigators from Britain’s University of Bristol say that fish oil may help to prevent arthritis from occurring in the first place. The study team fed omega-3 rich diets to guinea pigs that have a genetic pre-disposition to develop osteoarthritis and found that compared to a control group of animals eating a standard guinea pig diet, the fish oil diet reduced incidence of the disease by 50 percent. Positive effects of the diet included a reduction of the degradation of collagen in cartilage and better retention of the molecules that give cartilage its shock-absorbing properties. Evidence also indicated that omega-3 influences the biochemistry of arthritis and as a result can help prevent osteoarthritis and slow progression where it has already occurred. The study was published in the September 2011, issue of the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage.

OmegaGuard delivers a full spectrum of ultra-pure, pharmaceutical grade omega-3 fatty acids, which studies show help support healthy heart, joint, and brain function. It is made with a proprietary multistep molecular distillation process for the utmost purity and potency. OmegaGuard contains all seven omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, which studies show help: reduce the risk of heart disease, retain healthy triglyceride levels, maintain normal blood pressure, and support brain, eye and joint health.

Shaklee Omega Guard contains natural fish oil derived from small, cold water fish. it contains more EPA and DHA than other selected brands, contains no cholesterol, and comes in a small size for easy swallowing. To ensure purity and potency, the fish oil in OmegaGuard undergoes a multi step molecular distillation process, which: Concentrates and refines the omega-3 fatty acids, Removes lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, dioxins, and PCBs, and other contaminants, reduces oxidation and formation of trans fats, and minimizes odor and fishy aftertaste.

Related articles

• Omega-3s Might Protect Memory (firstnutritionnews.com)
• 8 Vegetarian Ways To Sneak more Omega-3’s Into Your Diet (huffingtonpost.com)
• Omega-3: What’s good for the heart may be good for the brain (mnn.com)