SNP MEP Alyn Smith has said that greater awareness of the benefits of Omega 3 could improve the nation’s general health, whilst taking part in a test of his own Omega 3 levels.
Mr Smith made the call whilst attending the sixth World Fisheries Congress last week.
Speaking from the Congress in Edinburgh Mr Smith said: “The health benefits of Omega 3 are proven to counteract a number of ailments which plight Scottish society, such as heart disease and other disorders.
“I like to think of myself as a health conscious person and hope that when I get the test results back in a couple weeks they’ll show I have an adequate amount of Omega 3. However, I’ll definitely be paying closer attention to what nutrients make up my diet.”
The University of Stirling’s Aquaculture Institute developed the Omega Blood Count™ test at Stirling and receives spot blood samples for testing from the UK, USA and around the globe. Prior to 2006, there was no laboratory in the UK to carry out rapid testing of blood spot samples for Omega 3 – all blood for testing was taken directly from the vein in a procedure which had to be carried out by medical practitioners.
Professor Gordon Bell of the Aquaculture Institute said: “Omega 3 has widely acknowledged benefits for people with cardiovascular disease and diseases with an inflammatory origin i.e. rheumatoid arthritis. Omega 3 may also help those with neural disorders including autism and ADHD.
“The highest levels of Omega 3 are in fish. Most people have about 25% Omega 3 in their blood but more than 50% is the ideal level.”
