Why Omega-3?

Seven Seas Reveals Britain's Big Omega-3 Blind Spot: Why So Many of Us May Be Missing Out*

New Study Finds More Than 45 Million Brits* Unaware of Omega-3's Role in Supporting Healthy Ageing¹

A major new UK study suggests that millions of Brits may be missing out on the benefits of Omega-3, simply because they don't realise how important it is*. In response, Seven Seas has launched a short, easy-to-use questionnaire to help people better understand their Omega-3 index and how they could top up their individual levels.

Results, At A Glance*:

• Just 34% of the UK population recognise Omega-3's support in healthy ageing¹, while almost a fifth of Brits don't know what Omega-3 is good for at all.
• Over 1 in 5 Brits believe what they eat today will not affect their future health.
• Around half of the UK population worries about not getting enough Omega-3 in their diet⁺. Despite this, 47% of Brits* are unaware of the amount of Omega-3 you should be consuming each day to for health benefits¹.
• While Omega-3 is key to support heart³ and brain⁴ health, fewer than a third of Brits associate Omega-3 with its other key health benefits: maintaining blood pressure⁵ and supporting eye health⁶.

• Nearly half of the UK population don't consider EPA and DHA levels important when selecting an Omega-3 supplement.

What Is Omega-3

Omega-3 is in every cell in your body. There are two important long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids – EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) – both playing a significant role in supporting your heart³, brain⁴ and vision⁶, as well as maintaining normal blood pressure⁵.

Yet even though this ingredient is in every cell of your body, your body cannot easily produce Omega-3 from scratch. EPA and DHA fatty acids are primarily found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, or through supplementation. It is important to incorporate these forms of Omega-3 into your lifestyle to support healthy ageing¹.

Revealing Britain's Widespread Omega-3 Gap

The new Seven Seas research, which surveyed a representative sample of 2258 adults across the UK, highlights a clear gap between awareness, concern and everyday habits when it comes to Omega-3*.

The Omega-3 Index is a key health marker that measures the amount of EPA and DHA in red blood cells. A growing body of research suggests an individual's Omega-3 index should be above 8%⁸ to support cardiovascular health¹⁴ but recent studies show the average in UK consumers blood is just 5.5%⁹.

Oily fish consumption (omega-3 fatty acids) helps support heart health³. The UK Government recommends an intake of at least two portions of fish per week, including one portion of oily fish². Despite this guidance, almost 60% of Brits say they eat fish less than once a week*.

The most common reason for not consuming more oily fish is taste and smell – with 54% of UK adults sharing this sentiment*. And yet, though it offers a simple solution to this intake blocker, supplementation remains low amongst Brits, with over two thirds of the UK population not taking a supplement containing Omega-3 today*. It comes as no surprise, then, that around half of UK adults are worried about not getting enough Omega-3 in their diet*.

For many, the barrier is simple. Healthy ageing is firmly on the public's radar, with 85% taking an interest in this topic*. Yet more than 45 million Brits* are unaware of Omega-3's role to support healthy ageing¹, along with 47%* unaware on the amount of Omega 3 you should be consuming each day for health benefits¹. At the same time, nearly half of the UK population don't consider EPA and DHA levels important when selecting an Omega-3 supplement*, despite playing an important role in supporting heart³, brain⁴ and vision⁶. Marcus Wareing, professional chef, has been taking Omega-3 since his youth. He wants to raise awareness on how Omega-3 can support healthy ageing¹. He says:

How Much Omega-3 Should We Be Taking?

One of the most common questions among those interested in Omega-3 fatty acids is, "How much do I need?". However, this is also one of the most challenging questions to answer. Unlike nutrients such as vitamin D or calcium, there is no universally agreed-upon daily amount for EPA and DHA, making it difficult to establish a standard recommendation for Omega-3 intake.

What we do know is that eating oily fish, or topping up with an Omega-3 supplement, can help increase your Omega-3 index, with evidence showing that around 1000 mg of EPA and DHA daily can support reaching an 8% index within 12 weeks or more⁷, supporting cardiovascular health¹⁴.To sustain this index in the long-term, you will need to maintain the same diet and supplementation habits.

Donna Bartoli, [ Level 5 Nutrition Student and health & lifestyle influencer], adds:

How Do We Know Which Supplement To Buy?

For those looking to support their Omega-3 levels through supplementation, it's important to look out for products with high EPA and DHA content, within the total level of fish oil. EPA and DHA are the key components needed to support various health benefits and healthy ageing¹.

Not sure where to start? Seven Seas' easy-to-follow questionnaire is a great place to help gauge what your Omega-3 levels might be.

Why Seven Seas?

About Seven Seas

Heart, brain and jointsupport are Seven Seas core pillars for healthy ageing¹¹. Seven Seas is the UK's No.1 Omega-3 brand¹² formulated with premium Omega-3 for better absorption¹⁰. At Seven Seas, our mission is to deliver the best products sourced from the ocean and manufactured to the highest standards. With over 85 years of Omega-3 scientific expertise, we are committed to putting you at the centre of everything we do. No compromises—just high-quality ingredients.

About Seven Seas Omega-3 Solutions

Seven Seas offers tailored supplements with a range of Omega-3 levels to meet individual dietary and lifestyle needs: including JointCare, Multivitamins, Gut Friendly Bacteria and a Pregnancy range:

• Seven Seas Omega-3 Fish Oil: considered by those who eat two portions of oily fish weekly and are looking to top up with 250 mg of Omega-3 each day⁺.
• Seven Seas Omega-3 Extra Strength Fish Oil: considered by those who compensate with non-oily fish sources and are looking to top up with 500 mg of Omega-3 each day⁺.

• Seven Seas Omega-3 Max Strength Fish Oil: considered by those rarely consuming fish and are looking to top up with our 1000 mg of Omega-3 daily⁺.

About Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, help support healthy aging¹. These essential fatty acids are crucial components of a healthy diet and can be found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel.

The Omega-3 Index is a key health marker that measures the amount of EPA and DHA in red blood cells. A growing body of research suggests an individual's Omega-3 index should be above 8%⁸ to support cardiovascular health¹⁴ but recent studies show the average in UK's consumers' blood is just 5.5%⁹. Eating oily fish or taking an Omega-3 supplement can help raise levels, with evidence showing that around 1000 mg of EPA and DHA daily can support reaching an 8% index within 12 weeks or more⁷.