Ocean Nutrition Canada takes awareness of Omega-3 to new heights
HALIFAX, March 02 /CNW/ - Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited (ONC), supplier
of MEG-3(R) brand Omega-3 EPA/DHA food and dietary supplement ingredients from
fish oil, and Dr. William Sears, partner to develop consumer awareness of the
health benefits of Omega-3 EPA/DHA. Dr. Sears participated in the consumer
awareness campaign with an interview segment with Sky Radio which will play on
American Airlines flights for the month of March 2009. The interview will play
on approximately 29,000 audio-equipped American Airlines with flights
worldwide, reaching approximately 4.2 million travelers.
Dr. William Sears, also known as "America's Pediatrician" is an Associate
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine,
School of Medicine. Dr. Sears has been practicing pediatrics for over 35 years
and is considered one of the leading experts on pediatrics and nutrition in
the United States. Dr. Sears is a proponent of Omega-3 EPA/DHA from fish oil
and he is personally committed to raising awareness of the global nutritional
deficient that exists for Omega-3.
The absence of Omega-3 EPA/DHA from fish oil, in addition to a rise in
Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (which are found in most types of
vegetable oil) in the western diet can be linked to rapid increases in the
number of inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. There are over 8,000 clinical
studies to support the health benefits of Omega-3 EPA/DHA from fish oil. This
body of research suggests that the combination of Omega-3 EPA and DHA reduces
the risk of heart disease, and may reduce symptoms of attention deficit and
hyperactivity disorder, Alzheimer's, depression, postpartum depression, and
stress. There is also evidence to suggest that Omega-3 EPA and DHA may improve
cognitive function, and may play a positive role in the management of obesity.
Research indicates that consumer awareness of the health benefits of
Omega-3 is very high. However, there still exists a lack of understanding of
the three types of Omega-3 (EPA - Eicosapentaenoic Acid, DHA - Docosahexaenoic
Acid, and ALA - Alpha-Linolenic acid) and the health benefits associated with
each type. Therefore, one of the underlying objectives of the media campaign
was to educate consumers that only fish oil provides both EPA and DHA -
essential nutrients vital for overall good health. And that ALA, from plant
sources, converts very inefficiently (less than 1%) to EPA and DHA so that is
not enough to provide any of the health benefits associated with Omega-3.
"American Airlines has over 29,000 flights per month so we saw this as an
opportunity to reach a wide range of travelers worldwide through their talk
station. We're really pleased to have Dr. Sears work with us on this project."
continued Lori Covert, VP Marketing and Communications, "He's very passionate
about Omega-3 EPA and DHA's health benefits for the whole family, and
particularly for children. In fact, Dr. Sears is so passionate he's launched a
line of Omega-3 products, including GoFish Brainy Kidz Chews and Popumz a line
of organic multi-grain crisps made with our MEG-3(R) fish oil."
"Omega-3 EPA/DHA from fish oil provides unlimited health benefits for the
entire family. It's really important for consumers to pay attention to the
type of Omega-3 they're choosing. Products containing ALA do not provide the
health benefits of Omega-3 EPA/DHA due to the extremely low conversion rate.
Dr. Sears continued, "Consumers should look for the little blue fish, MEG-3(R)
on the package to ensure they're getting the abundant health benefits of
Omega-3."
About Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited (ONC):
Ocean Nutrition Canada (ONC) is a privately held company, whose major
shareholder is Clearwater Fine Foods Incorporated. Clearwater Fine Foods
Incorporated is a diversified holding/investment company whose significant
holdings include a controlling interest in Clearwater Seafood's Limited
Partnership, the world's largest integrated shellfish harvester and processor.
ONC is a global leading supplier of Omega-3 EPA and DHA ingredients from
fish oil...essential nutrients that have been scientifically linked to
supporting heart health, brain health, and general wellness. ONC markets its
MEG-3(R) ingredients into the Dietary Supplement and Healthy Food markets. To
date MEG-3(R) ingredients have been included in over 40 billion servings of
food and supplement products world wide. For more information on Ocean
Nutrition Canada Limited visit www.ocean-nutrition.com, and for more
information on the health benefits of MEG-3(R) ingredients please visit
www.meg-3.com.
About Dr. William Sears:
Dr. Sears, or Dr. Bill as his "little patients" call him, is the father
of eight children, three of whom are doctors (two pediatricians and one
general practitioner). Dr. Sears is also the author of over 40 books on
childcare, most notably The Baby Book considered by many to be the ultimate
"how to" guide to raising your child. Dr. Bill received his pediatric training
at Harvard Medical School's Children's Hospital in Boston and The Hospital for
Sick Children in Toronto - the largest children's hospital in the world, where
he served as Associate Ward Chief of the newborn nursery and Associate
Professor of Pediatrics. Dr. Sears is a Fellow of the American Academy of
Pediatrics (FAAP) and a Fellow of the Royal College of Pediatricians (FRCP).
Dr. Bill is also a medical and parenting consultant for BabyTalk and Parenting
magazines. Visit Dr. Sears' website, www.AskDrSears.com to learn more.
For further information: Joanna Lane, Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd., (902)
480-3288, jlane@ocean-nutrition.com; www.ocean-nutrition.com
