Council for Responsible Nutrition-The Science Behind the Supplements

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CRN APPLAUDS AHA RECOMMENDATION ON THE BENEFITS OF
OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS

Related Links
• Recommendations from Circulation (AHA)
• AHA Press Release

Click here for more on Omega-3 Supplements in the About Supplements>Specialty Supplements section of our website

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 19, 2002 — The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), one of the dietary supplement industry’s leading trade associations, today commended the American Heart Association (AHA) for urging people to consume omega-3 fatty acids to protect their hearts.

According to Annette Dickinson, Ph.D., vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, CRN, the good news from AHA and the accompanying recommendations published in the Nov. 18 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association "recognize the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in a healthy diet and the science that supports these valuable nutrients."

The report recommended that healthy adults eat at least two servings of fish per week, particularly those containing the most potent form of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic) and DHA (docosahexaenoic). In addition, the report pointed out that some people need more EPA and DHA than can be readily achieved through diet alone, and in those cases, omega-3 fatty acid supplements should be considered. AHA states that people with coronary artery disease "in consultation with their physician, should consider supplements for CHD risk reduction."

"Americans, in particular, do not eat enough fish and we agree with the American Heart Association that it would make good sense for healthy adults to eat two servings a week of the right kinds of fish. For those people who are not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids from their diet, omega-3 supplements are a convenient and affordable option," stated Dr. Dickinson.

CRN’s Omega-3 Working Group recently issued a voluntary monograph intended to raise the bar for the quality of long chain Omega-3 EPA and DHA products marketed in North America, in order to ensure greater consumer confidence in these beneficial nutrients.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) is one of the dietary supplement industry’s leading trade associations representing ingredient suppliers and manufacturers. CRN members adhere to a strong code of ethics, comply with dosage limits and manufacture dietary supplements to high quality standards under good manufacturing practices.

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