The same has often been said about the typical
Mediterranean-style diet.
Said to reduce joint inflammation, omega-3 fatty
acid supplements have been the focus of many studies
attempting to validate its effectiveness in treating
rheumatoid arthritis. According to a large body of
research in the area, omega-3 fatty acid supplements
are clearly effective in reducing the symptoms associ-
ated with rheumatoid arthritis, such as joint tender-
ness and stiffness. In some cases, a reduction in the
amount of medication needed by rheumatoid arthritis
patients has been noted.
More research needs to be done to substantiate
the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids in treating
eating disorders, attention deficit disorder, and
depression. Some studies have indicated, for example,
that children with behavioral problems and attention
deficit disorder have lower than normal amounts of
omega-3 fatty acids in their bodies. However, until there
is more data in these very important areas of research, a
conservative approach should be taken, especially when
making changes to a child’s diet. Parents should to talk
to their child’s pediatrician to ascertain if adding more
omega-3 fatty acids to their child’s diet is appropriate.
In addition, parents should take special care to avoid
feeding their children fish high in mercury. A food list
containing items rich in omega-3 fatty acids can be
obtained from a licensed dietitian.Mercury levels and concerns about safety
A great deal of media attention has been focused
on the high mercury levels found in some types of fish.
People concerned about fish consumption and mercury
levels can review public releases on the subject issued by
the U. S. Food and Drug Administration and the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency. Special precautions exist
for children and pregnant orbreastfeedingwomen.
They are advised to avoid shark, mackerel, swordfish,
and tilefish. However, both the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration and the Environmental Protection
Agency emphasis the importance of dietary fish. Fish,
they caution, should not be eliminated from the diet. In
fact, Robert Oh, M.D., stated in his 2005 article, which
was published inThe Journal of the American Board of
Family Practice‘‘with the potential health benefits of
fish, women of childbearing age should be encouraged
to eat 1 to 2 low-mercury fish meals per week.’’Contaminants and concerns about safety
Other concerns regarding fish safety have also
been reported. In 2004, Hites and colleagues assessed
organic contaminants in salmon in an article pub-lished inScience. Their conclusion that farmed salmon
had higher concentrations of polychlorinated biphen-
yls than wild salmon prompted public concerns and a
response from the AmericanCancerSociety. Farmed
fish in Europe was found to have higher levels of
mercury than farmed salmon in North and South
America; however, the American Cancer Society
reminded the public that the ‘‘levels of toxins Hites
and his colleagues found in the farmed salmon were
still below what the U.S. Food and Drug Administra-
tion, which regulates food, considers hazardous.’’ The
American Cancer Society still continues to promote a
healthy, varied diet, which includes fish as a food
source.Recommended dosage
The AHA recommends that people eat two serv-
ings of fish, such as tuna or salmon, at least twice a
week. A person with coronary heart disease, according
to the AHA, should consume 1 gram of omega-3 fatty
acids daily through food intake, most preferably
through the consumption of fatty fish. The AHA
also states that ‘‘people with elevated triglycerides
may need 2 to 4 grams of EPA and DHA per day
provided as a supplement,’’ which is available in liquid
or capsule form. Ground or cracked flaxseed can
easily be incorporated into a person’s diet by sprin-
kling it over salads, soup, and cereal.
Sources differ, but here are some general examples:
3 ounces of pickled herring = 1.2 grams of omega-3
fatty acids
3ouncesofsalmon=1.3gramsofomega-3fattyacids
3 ounces of halibut = 1.0 grams of omega-3 fatty
acids
3 ounces of mackerel = 1.6 grams of omega-3 fatty
acids
1 1/2 teaspoons of flaxseeds = 3 grams of omega-3
fatty acidsPrecautions
In early 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Adminis-
tration along with the the Environmental Protection
Agency issued a statement that women who are or may
be pregnant, as well as breastfeeding mothers and
children, should avoid eating some types of fish
thought to contain high levels of mercury. Fish that
typically contain high levels of mercury are shark,
swordfish, and mackerel, whereas shrimp, canned
light tuna, salmon, and catfish are generally thought
to have low levels of mercury. Because many people
engage in fishing as a hobby, women should be sureOmega-3 fatty acids