Omega – 3 is recognised by the British Government as essential
30 November 2008
The Associate Parliamentary Food and Health Forum, made up of 6 UK parliamentarians, looked at the scientific evidence on whether mental health and performance can be affected by what we eat, and explores how this may be happening.
"The report issued in January this year is the first endorsement by a government anywhere to the benefits of Omega-3 to a healthy diet", said Paul Steere, NZ King Salmon Chief Executive.
"Not only is this the first endorsement, it is the probably the first that comes unencumbered with associations of a supplier. What is extremely pleasing is the independent support of what we have been saying for a number of years now - there are obvious benefits in eating oily fish, such as Chinook salmon, on a regular basis."
In fact, they have gone further into the specific areas of mental health and development
The year-long inquiry took into account scientific and other evidence from experts at a number of open meetings. The evidence clarified the role of omega-3 and other nutrients in brain development and function, but has also revealed the need for further research into their effect on different aspects of human behaviour and cognitive development. However, they agreed the evidence for the benefits of naturally occurring omega-3 in fish and fish oils was very powerful and that this should be a vital component of a well balanced healthy diet.
The report's finding concentrated particularly on the role of omega-3 fatty acids but recognises that other nutrients forming part of a healthy diet also have a significant role. The report emphasises the importance of omega-3 in the diet of pregnant and breast feeding mothers and children since brain development mainly occurs at the beginning of life, but also recognises that older people may benefit. There may be a protective effect of omega-3 against Alzheimer's disease but the report concludes that more research, already under way, needs to be evaluated before firm conclusions can be drawn."
The report backs the recommendations of the UK Food Safety Authority that fish consumption should be increased since it is the prime source of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Omega-3 is the prime healthy ingredient found in oily fish such as King Salmon also known as Chinook. Chinook salmon is the species being farmed by New Zealand King Salmon in its five farms throughout New Zealand.
In their report, the Parliamentarians emphasise people to consider the impact on mental health, as well as physical health, of what people choose to eat. In particular, the inquiry report looks at the evidence that diet influences the behaviour and performance of school children, the behaviour of offenders and people suffering from depression.
The recommendations range from advice on Government messages about healthy eating, to specific advice in relation to pregnant women and on nutritional standards in prisons.
In delivering the report the sub-committee also noted its concern for the impact on wild fish stocks, under pressure internationally, if this advice is followed. The report recognised the need to identify and manage the alternative sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
New Zealand has a thriving salmon industry providing access to Omega-3 without harming or influencing the supply of wild fish stocks. New Zealand is home to a small number of salmon farms, all of whom farm Chinook salmon in both fresh water and in the sea.
Not only does the Chinook salmon generate the greatest level of Omega-3 it is not a native of New Zealand. This means that while benefiting greatly from the environment they are farmed in, resulting in healthier and bigger fish, they have no impact on the native wild salmon population.
The salmon industry is constantly taking on innovations in the care of the fish. The need for healthy fish who are not stressed has been an economic and product imperative resulting in relatively free swimming salmon fed on food resembling the level of and type of nutrients found in the wild.
Ongoing product development has resulted in easier access to the 150 grams of salmon that would meet the recommended daily intake of Omega-3. The nutritional value does not end there - salmon is also high in protein - 20% of each portion.
"All of this makes the farming of Chinook salmon a necessary and essential part of the aquaculture sector - a sector that is the world and New Zealand's fastest growing," said Mr Steere. "Finfish aquaculture has a small footprint with an extremely valuable yield in terms of Omega-3 and protein.
"Governmental endorsement of the benefits of Omega-3, albeit 12,000 miles away, is yet another reason for the continued development of aquaculture in this country. However, we as a sector must be weary of chasing the volume driven commodity market and concentrate of the value that can be derived through the production of high quality, consumer driven food."