Global Access to Uncontaminated Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Requires Attention

Many studies have evaluated the links between Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) intake and human health outcomes, and the results have been inconsistent. However, a series of recent systematic reviews and metanalyses indicate that sufficient Omega-3-PUFA intake is critical for human health. While we need to improve the conduct of Omega-3-PUFA epidemiology as described here, we must also deal with the evidence that we already have: 85 % of countries have insufficient mean intakes of Omega-3-PUFA. Unfortunately, rising ocean temperatures, overfishing, and pollution are further reducing our access to these lipids. As we address the core impediments in the epidemiology, these ecological and biophysical constraints become even more concerning. Addressing non-linearities, endogenous conversion, competitive inhibition by Omega-6-PUFA, baseline lipid intakes, and the nearly ubiquitous presence of toxicants, leads to the conclusion that we need greater access to uncontaminated Omega-3-PUFA in food systems worldwide. Increased production could help, but we may also need to decrease the Omega-6-PUFA content of our diets (achieving addition through subtraction). If we did this well, we could reduce the global burden of perinatal, neurocognitive, cancer, cardiovascular, hepatic, and other diseases related to chronic inflammation. However, to get it right, we must use the right frames for our inquiry and action. Supplementation is not viable at scale because 85 % of earth’s countries have insufficient mean intakes. This is not a healthcare problem; it is a public health issue and a planetary health conundrum. This subject needs more attention.