Most of the fish and practically all of the meat and poultry that you consume is derived from farms or hatcheries. This means that you are limiting your animal protein intake to sources that predominately use grains as a way of “fattening up” their livestock.
In other words, these animal protein sources are no longer directly or indirectly deriving their nutrients from leafy plants or algae – something which is necessary for the formation of essential Omega-3 fatty acids.
This is a new phenomenon in human history. Up until a few generations ago, our diet was rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). While Omega-3 fatty acids in general reduce triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels, EPA is especially critical to nervous system functioning. Chronically low EPA levels can cause sleep dysfunctions and have been linked to bipolar and depressive mood disorders.
The key takeaway here is that, for the most part, the essential Omega-3 fatty acid EPA has been engineered out of our diets – so you need to replenish it.
I don’t normally push products, but here’s what I use:
There are countless brands and formulations out there, so it can get a bit confusing. But just remember to check for equal or higher levels of EPA. Because that’s what you really need and what you’re not currently getting from your diet.