Restoring Balance: Omega-3 Nutrition and Ocean Sustainability
Mar 31, 2026 08:00AM ● By Jean Pate
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In nutrition science, one concept appears repeatedly: balance. The body depends on it. When key nutrients fall out of balance, health can gradually begin to deteriorate. The principle of balance also applies to Earth. When ecosystems lose their balance, biodiversity suffers and resources decline.
Omega-3 fatty acids can affect both the nutrition and the Earth balance scenarios. They play a central role in the human body by boosting cardiovascular health, brain function and regulating inflammation. The body cannot produce Omega-3s, they are essential fats that must be obtained through diet or supplementation. But supplements needed to keep people in balance have long been made at the expense of environmental balance. Traditionally, the unsustainable harvesting of forage fish has disrupted marine food webs by causing starvation of apex predators (whales, seals, dolphins, seabirds) and by disrupting the ocean’s ability to regulate the climate.
Fortunately, the most effective marine sources of these fatty acids can also be sustainably sourced. Fish oil and algae oil provide reliable nutritional support and certification programs such as Friend of the Sea promote sustainable fishing practices and help safeguard marine ecosystems by supporting responsible harvesting and long-term fish stock management.
Omega-3 Deficiencies
Despite their importance in protecting cardiovascular, brain and immune health, omega-3 levels have been found to be low or very low in most people tested worldwide.
Using the Omega-3 Index (O3I), a biomarker that measures the percentage of EPA and DHA in red blood cell membranes, one can measure long-term omega-3 status and fatty acid balance in the body. This testing helps illustrate nutritional status and allows individuals to take a more proactive approach to health.
In 2016, Stark et al. put together data to create a color-coded world map of O3I levels with the following ranges: less than 4% (very low), 4-6% (low), 6-8% (moderate) and greater than 8% (adequate). In a recent study published in the journal Progress in Lipid Research, researchers updated the map with data from studies since 1999. The results of both studies were similar: most populations present with low or very low levels of omega-3.
People in Japan, South Korea, Finland, Norway, Greenland and the State of Alaska were the only populations to have adequate levels (>8% O3I), which shows a relationship to traditional fish- eating cultures.
How Florida Compares
Florida and other coastal states (excluding Alaska) are estimated to be 5.2 to 5.3% on the O3I, which is slightly better than inland states (4.8 to 5%). But it is important to note that the contiguous United States, Canada and Mexico are all well within the low (4 to 6%) category.
Research suggests that an O3I of 8-12% is optimal, yet the average level in Florida and the rest of the country is about half of that. In other words, a large portion of the population may be operating with a significant omega-3 deficit.
Get More Omega-3s
The takeaway from the world research is that most people need to consume a lot more fatty fish or take omega-3 supplements. Supporting optimal nutrient intake should go hand in hand with protecting the ecosystems that provide these valuable resources.
The goal is the same in both nutrition and environmental stewardship: main- taining balance. By restoring balance in our bodies through adequate omega-3 intake and preserving the balance of the oceans through responsible sourcing, a healthier future for people and the planet is possible.
Jean Pate is a frequent writer for Natural Awakenings.
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