You'd be in good company if you put Omega-3 and fish together, however as mad as it sounds we are all soon to be able to get Omega-3 from specially bred chicken!
The Omega-3 rich chicken
After a whopping 10 years of research, upmarket supermarket Waitrose is about to start selling a new type of chicken which could revolutionise nutrition. The chickens are fed algae which are rich in protein, Omega-3, vitamins, including vitamin B12, amino acids, minerals, essential fatty acids and antioxidants. Algae forms the main part of the diet of fish. Key to the product is the high levels of Omega-3 don't affect the taste of the chicken in any way.
Algae is commercially farmed all around the world, a very common known algae is Spirulina. It is completely natural and safe, and easy to harvest all year around. This has potentially a far greater ability to shake up our struggling world of food production than crops and genetically modified crops which are all seasonal. The supplementation of the algae mix (it's exactly makeup is secret), has real potential to be able to replace controversial genetically modified soya and corn or maize, which are now given to many reared farm animals.
Guidelines are for people to consume 250mg of Omega-3 fatty acids per day, with the new waitrose Omega-3 chicken this equates to approximately 1.5 chicken breasts.
Omega-3 health benefits
Official dietary advice is that people should eat at least one portion of oily fish a week - Waitrose's new revolutionary product is sure to confuse this guideline! A major problem with the recommendation is many people simply don't like oily fish - particularly children.
With the Waitrose chicken, a pre-launch trial of 30 people saw increases in the levels of Omega-3 fats in participants bloodstream by an average of 12%.
Omega-3 essential fatty acids are vital to heart health, the brain and eyesight. Much clinical research has shown that people who consume high levels of Omega-3 are significantly less likely to suffer from a cardiovascular related death that those who don't.
A healthy balanced diet is the best way to consume all the nutrients we need. Sometimes however this isn't possible and then supplements can help. This article isn't intended to replace medical advice. Please consult your healthcare professional before trying any supplements or herbal medicines.