Meet Connie Evers: She’s an 8.4!
By Connie Evers, MS, RD
NutritionForKids.com
I’ve been a fan of Coromega fish oil Squeezes for several years. I first picked up a sample at a nutrition conference a few years back. I was excited to try the product since I had given up on taking fish oil capsules. Even when I kept the capsules refrigerated, I would walk around for hours tasting and burping fish! So I was pleasantly surprised when I began taking the Squeezes and the fishy burps were absent! I also read the 2009 study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association that showed a 300% better omega-3 absorption of Coromega Squeezes over fish oil capsules.*
So I was very interested to take the Coromega 90 Day Challenge. Before the test, I was using Coromega Squeezes but not always every day. I travel a lot for my business and I would often forget to pack Squeezes. Even so, I was apparently doing pretty well because my first score in November 2011 was 7.9. That placed me in the “good” range and well above the American average of 4.8.
As a dietitian and naturally competitive person, I wanted to improve my omega-3 scores. So I faithfully took the Omega3 + vitamin D Squeezes every day for 90 days. Since it’s an emulsified form of fish oil, I kept several packets in my one quart baggie that I take through airport screening. I established a routine of taking the Squeezes with breakfast every morning so I wouldn’t forget, even though it is not necessary to take with food or water. At the end of 90 days, I was thrilled. My overall score went from 7.9 to 8.4!
When I started, I was a bit concerned about my omega-6/omega-3 ratio which was initially 5.3:1. While I was doing far better than the American average of 8.11:1 (yikes!), I wanted my level to be below 5:1, and at the end of the challenge, my omega-6/omega-3 ratio decreased to 4.8:1!
The typically-high omega-6/omega-3 ratio associated with the American diet has been implicated in the body’s inflammatory response, which may be tied to chronic diseases.
On a personal note, a skiing accident as a teenager followed by years of serious running has left me with zero cartilage and osteoarthritis in my left knee. I am very serious about exercise and fitness so I want to reduce inflammation and stay as mobile as possible!
During the Coromega Challenge, I also kept a closer eye on omega-6 oils, such as soybean, corn and safflower oil. I don’t eat a lot of processed food but I identified my two major sources as certain brands of commercial salad dressing and tortilla chips. During the challenge, I read labels carefully and tried to use products that contained canola or olive oil. I also made my own simple salad dressings. (And yes, I admit it, whole corn tortilla chips are my weakness but I do normally eat them topped with avocado chunks and black beans!)
Here is the complete rundown of my results:
| Evers results: | Before 90 day challenge | After 90 day challenge | Typical USA | Optimal |
| Total omega-3 score (%) | 7.9 | 8.4 | 4.8 | >9 |
| EPA (%) | 1.6 | 2.1 | .6 | >3 |
| DHA (%) | 3.4 | 4.1 | 2.6 | >4 |
| Omega 3 Index (RBC EPA +DHA) (%) | 5.2 | 8.6 | 3.4 | >8 |
| Total omega-6 score (%) | 41.6 | 40.3 | 39 | <38 |
| omega-6/omega-3 ratio | 5.3:1 | 4.8:1 | 8.11:1 | <5:1 |
| Arachidonic Acid*/EPA ratio | 5.6:1 | 4.1:1 | 18.3:1 | <5:1 |
*Arachadonic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid that has been shown to increase inflammation in the body.
Disclosure: Coromega provided a 90-day supply of Coromega Squeezes and the Holman Omega-3 Blood Test kit. The opinions expressed here are my own.
–Connie
The benefits of omega-3 are varied and well-documented. Brain function, heart heath, and skin, hair and eye care are all benefits associated with high levels of omega-3s.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
