Living by the Sea Doesn’t Guarantee Omega-3 Sufficiency
You’d think a harbor town awash in fresh catch would be swimming in omega-3s. Yet a new snapshot from Newport, Rhode Island tells a different story. In 234 residents tested, the average Omega-3 Index—the percentage of EPA and DHA in red blood cells—was just 5.2%. For context, many researchers consider 8–12% the “healthy” zone. Newport’s result echoes a broader U.S. pattern: even health-conscious eaters often fall short on long-chain omega-3s without deliberate effort.
A Summer of Testing—and a Wake-Up Call
Throughout the season, local outreach paired free Omega-3 Index testing with fitness sessions and nutrition check-ins. The goal was simple: help people see their number and learn how to move it. As cardiologist Suzanne Steinbaum, DO, put it, knowing your omega-3 level belongs alongside familiar markers like cholesterol and blood pressure. Proximity to seafood, it turns out, isn’t the same as routinely eating the right fish—or supplementing—enough to raise tissue levels.
Why “I Eat Fish” Often Isn’t Enough
EPA and DHA live primarily in oily, cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, and albacore tuna, or in concentrated supplements. Taste preferences, cost, and access all play a role, but habits matter most: if fatty fish isn’t on the plate several times a week, or if supplements are inconsistent or under-dosed, the Omega-3 Index tends to hover in the 4–6% range. Many Americans who identify as “healthy eaters” are surprised to learn how rarely they hit that target intake.
From the Rhode Island Shore to the Stroke Belt
Low omega-3 status isn’t confined to coastal communities. In large community screenings across cities often grouped within the U.S. “stroke belt,” more than two thousand people were tested. The pattern was striking: about 42% registered in the “undesirable” zone below 4%, and only ~1% reached 8% or higher. While many factors drive regional cardiovascular risk, consistently low EPA+DHA status is a plausible contributor—one that’s modifiable through diet and supplementation.
Fortified Foods and Supplements Can Bridge the Gap
For people who don’t regularly eat oily fish, there are practical workarounds. EPA/DHA-enriched foods—think certain eggs, milks, spreads, or juices—can nudge intake upward. High-quality fish oil or algal oil capsules (for a plant-based option) offer a more predictable dose. The most reliable way to confirm that these choices are working is to recheck the Omega-3 Index after a few months and adjust from there.
Children Are Missing Out Too—and It Matters
A recent Pediatrics report reinforced a long-standing concern: U.S. children eat little seafood, so they miss key nutrients, especially DHA and EPA. Evidence links prenatal and early-life fish consumption with better neurodevelopmental outcomes, and early introduction of fish appears to lower risks for allergic conditions in some studies. While safety questions often focus on contaminants, guidance consistently supports low-mercury seafood as part of a child’s diet. When families can’t meet needs through food, kid-appropriate omega-3 supplements are a reasonable alternative.
The Takeaway for Coastal Towns—and Everywhere Else
Newport’s experience underscores a simple truth: geography doesn’t guarantee nutrient sufficiency. Omega-3 status reflects consistent behavior—how often the right fish are eaten, and whether supplemental EPA and DHA are used thoughtfully. Measuring the Omega-3 Index provides a clear baseline. From there, adding fatty fish a few times weekly, choosing fortified foods, or using a daily supplement can move most people toward the 8–12% range associated with better long-term health.
