Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly known as brain food, have a wide range of health benefits. However, according to the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED), the regular intake of these compounds can also have a positive impact on the medical industry as a whole – particularly its bottom line.
NutraIngredients-USA reports that representatives from GOED met with public officials from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) on August 1 to review the merits of omega-3 fatty acids, and their possible applications.
Over the course of the meeting, attendees from GOED presented a case for the economic benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for the healthcare industry. The GOED cited the compound’s documented ability to promote heart health. Representatives from the group said that promoting omega-3 intake, especially among people over 65 years old, could save hospitals a considerable amount by lowering the number of elderly patients who are treated for heart conditions that aren’t life-threatening.
With that in mind, GOED members also pled the case for increasing the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for omega-3 fatty acids. This number is set by the IOM and used by physicians and everyday individuals alike to determine the right amount of vitamins, minerals and other compounds that the body needs to function at its best.
Various publications have speculated that a new DRI review may take place as a result of this meeting. But, whatever the IOM decides, individuals can benefit from taking the initiative and consuming more omega-3 fatty acids on their own. Click for information about our DHA and other omega-3 supplements.