A big new international analysis has brought up new worries about how little omega-3 the globe is eating. It says that more than three-quarters of the world's people aren't getting enough. Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA), Holland & Barrett, and the University of Southampton did the study. It found that 76% of people throughout the world do not get enough EPA and DHA, the two most critical omega-3 fats. 

EPA and DHA are omega-3 fatty acids with long chains. To put it simply, these are good fats that the body can't make on its own. EPA helps keep the heart healthy and controls inflammation. DHA is important for the brain, vision, and early development. Most of the time, you can only obtain them from oily fish like salmon and mackerel, which means that many people don't receive enough. 

This study is the first global analysis of omega-3 recommendations for all phases of life, from infancy to old age. It gives a clear picture of how much people should eat and how much they really eat. The authors observed that there was a big difference between what people were told to eat and what they really ate, which showed a big public health gap. 

"Our research looks at recommendations for omega-3 fats and how they compare to what people are actually eating," said Prof. Anne Marie Minihane from UEA's Norwich Medical School. There are substantial differences between what experts say we should eat and what most of us do eat. We need easier, more long-lasting ways to receive these vital nutrients, including meals that are high in omega-3s or supplements, to close that gap. These adjustments could help more people get the health benefits that come with eating more. We hope this effort will help nutrition experts, doctors, the food and supplement businesses, policymakers, and consumers learn more. 

The analysis shows that omega-3 fats are good for your health at all stages of life. More of it lowers the risk of giving birth too soon, helps babies' brains and eyes grow, and is good for adults' hearts and immune systems. There is also a lot of evidence that eating omega-3s lowers the risk of depression and slows down cognitive loss, even in those with Alzheimer's disease. 

But the advice itself is very different from one country to the next, which makes things confusing for the public. Many governments say that individuals should get about 250 mg of EPA and DHA combined per day. However, pregnant women should get an extra 100–200 mg of DHA. Eating oily fish twice a week can help you attain these levels, but it's hard to do because many people don't eat enough seafood, are worried about the environment, or can't get supplements easily in some areas. 

The paper's results are especially important for nations in Asia and Latin America, such as India, where there aren't many official national standards on how much omega-3 to eat. The authors contend that more uniform, evidence-based recommendations could enhance global public health policies. 

Professors Philip Calder and Minihane, nutritionists Fionna Page and Claire James, Dr Cawood of Holland & Barrett, and Dr Sophie Putnam did the review. It was published in Nutrition Research Reviews.