Newsletter Home     Industry Bite     Wild Watch     Featured Articles     Recipe of the Month     Order Materials ASMI Releases Four More Omega-3 White Papers by Dr. Joyce Nettleton The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) has added four new bilingual white papers, written by Dietary Scientist and Registered Dietician Dr. Joyce Nettleton, to their available resources. Consumers can find valuable information about the health benefits of omega-3s, the fatty acids found in seafood, from all eight of Nettleton's white papers. Educated consumers will not only know the benefits that they can receive from omega-3s, but also will be able to distinguish between helpful fish omega-3s and the less beneficial plant omega-3s.   • More now than ever, consumers know that omega-3s are important to their health. However, products containing plant omega-3s, which do not provide the benefits that fish omega-3s give, can confuse consumers. In Omega-3s: Are Fish and Plant Omega-3s the Same?, Dr. Nettleton illuminates the superiority of fish omega-3s for the human system. Alpha-linolenic acid, the only omega-3 fatty acid found in plants, has some, but not all, of the health benefits associated with EPA and DHA, the omega-3s found in seafood. According to Nettleton, "EPA and DHA are known as long-chain omega-3s because their structure is longer than alpha-linolenic acid. The body has a strong preference for the long-chain omega-3s." The body can absorb more of these helpful omega-3s from seafood. Omega-3s from plants are converted into energy and burned while "A very small amount, less than 5%, is converted to EPA."   • Seeing Clearly-Fish, Omega-3s and Vision details the important role that the omega-3 fatty acid DHA, found in seafood, plays in vision and eye health. In pregnancy and infancy DHA helps form the retina of the eye and "If DHA is insufficient, visual acuity-the ability to distinguish fine detail-is reduced." DHA also protects the retina of the eye from macular degeneration, which is brought on by aging. In addition, available research suggests that "Low intake of fish is associated with greater chance of developing cataracts. Patients with primary glaucoma were reported to have low levels of EPA and DHA in their blood."   • In Fish Omega-3s and the Immune System-Easing Itches, Sneezes and Pain, Dr. Nettleton explains the how omega-3 fatty acids found in fish can help address allergic reactions and chronic diseases. According to Nettleton, fish oil has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis for many years. "Fish oil also reduces the production of inflammatory substances and reduces the activity of enzymes that erode joint tissue." Although omega-3s cannot prevent asthma or eczema, a chronic skin disease, they have also been found to help make these conditions less severe.   • According to Seafood Omega-3s and Mental Health, serious mental disorders affect about one in 17 American adults and are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. "However, we are learning that the omega-3s in fish may be helpful in treating patients with depression," writes Nettleton. "Because DHA is an important part of brain structure and function, the sudden loss of DHA may be related to postpartum depression." EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid found in seafood, has proven effective in reducing the severity of bipolar disorder without producing side effects. There is also a link between omega-3s and hostile behavior. "As with depression and bipolar disorder, violent behaviors, homicide and suicide are higher in countries with the lowest consumption of seafood." The white papers will be available at consumer events and tradeshows. They are also available to download and print for your customers. Click here download the new white pages »»