More than 5,000 studies published around the world have reported omega-3 health benefits ranging from heart health, to improved joint flexibility and mobility, to enhanced brain development and memory. "It's important to get omega-3s through diet or nutritional supplements because the human body cannot make them on its own," said Ruth Carey, R.D., L.D., Immediate Past Chair of Sports and Cardiovascular Nutritionists (SCAN), a practice group of the American Dietetic Association.

"In general, most Americans eat what they like, not necessarily what their bodies need," Carey continued. "This survey shows very conclusively what many of us may have guessed: Americans are not getting -- and probably never will get -- adequate levels of omega-3s from diet alone. I believe people are beginning to see the value of taking omega-3 supplements, like those from Ocean Essentials." Sixty percent of those surveyed said they would consider taking omega-3 supplements to round out their nutritional needs.

The survey also shows that when Americans do eat fish, they frequently eat it fried -- a cooking method not considered optimal by health experts. Also, the typical fried fish is not the cold-water variety high in omega-3s, Carey said. Twenty-seven percent of the respondents said that frying was their usual way of preparing fish at home, while 36 percent said they usually ordered their fish fried when eating out.

Even the 12 percent who said they eat fish three or more times a week often do not follow healthy eating habits. Twenty-two percent of this group said they usually have their fish fried when eating at home, and 31 percent said they usually order fish fried when eating in a restaurant.

Overall, most respondents said they like to eat fish. On a 10-point scale, 59 percent rated how much they liked fish at seven or above. The reasons named for liking fish included taste (93 percent of respondents), health benefits (76 percent), easy preparation (65 percent), and low calories (57 percent). Among the barriers to eating fish named by respondents were expense (34 percent), taste (33 percent), preference of family members (31 percent), portability (28 percent), difficult to find (22 percent), difficult to prepare (20 percent), and allergies (14 percent).

The 650-mg-a-day recommendation is based on a Wake Forest University Bowman Gray School of Medicine multi-year study of individuals at high risk for coronary heart disease. In this study, participants consumed about 664 mg of omega-3s a day and had up to a 50 percent lower risk of death from heart disease, a 45 percent lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and a 27 percent lower risk of death from all causes.(1)

Commissioned by Ocean Essentials and Ocean Nutrition Canada, the survey was based on telephone interviews of more than 480 males and 520 females by TeleNation, a survey research service. TeleNation interviews a random sample of individuals selected from all available residential telephone numbers in the contiguous United States. This approach ensures random selection and provides an independent sample. The margin of error on questions asked all 1,000 participants is plus or minus 3 percent.

Ocean Essentials is committed to improving health through the power of ocean nutrients. The company's supplement line features the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA and glucosamine in pure, concentrated forms.

Ocean Essentials products include Brain Health, which promotes optimal mental function; Heart Health, which supports normal blood triglycerides and healthy blood flow; Mother's Health, which promotes normal infant brain and vision development when taken by women who are pregnant or breast-feeding; Joint Health, which supports joint mobility; Balanced Health, which promotes all-around optimal health; and Cartilage Health glucosamine supplements, which promote healthy joints and cartilage.

Ocean Essentials is part of a three-way partnership with Clearwater Fine Foods -- Canada's largest privately owned fishing company -- and Ocean Nutrition Canada, a leader in ocean science and supplement manufacturing.

For more information about omega-3s, other ocean nutrients, and Ocean Essentials products, go to www.oceanessentials.com.

(1) Dolecek, "Epidemiological Evidence of Relationships Between Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Mortality in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial." A recent analysis of a multi-year study that considered the relationship between consumption of fish-based omega-3s and heart disease in men at high risk of developing heart disease.

SOURCE: Ocean Essentials, Inc.

WEB SITE: http://www.oceanessentials.com/

CO: Ocean Essentials, Inc.; Ocean Nutrition Canada