Among the species of fish and seafood with higher content of fatty acids are herring, salmon, scallops, mussels, tuna, clams, shrimp and lobster, among others, he said.
Renowned American dietician recommended eating foods high in Omega 3 during pregnancy and lactation period, because it improves the quality of breast milk.
He added that people should also maintain a continuous intake of fatty acids during the first three years of infancy.
He said that in adulthood inadequate intake of Omega 3 can cause imbalances in the brain and heart, which implies an increasing health spending for individuals and their families, as well as economies of countries.
Regular consumption of this fatty acid leads to a healthy life and low risk of developing chronic diseases and lower health costs for countries, he added in a presentation to a meeting to promote the consumption of fishery and aquaculture products, organized by the Mexican National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA).
He said that most of the population of Western countries consume only 20 per cent of the fatty acid Omega 3 that is necessary, but it is shown that helps to avoid health problems.
Mr Speed stressed that although many countries have boosted the amount of Omega 3 that is eaten so that people are consuming at least a minimum amount of Omega 3, others lack the institutionalised measures and therefore less of the fatty acid is consumed that is essential for humans.
