Without a doubt fish oil (EPA and DHA fatty acids) is the single most important nutritional deficiency in the United States. Fish (and cod liver oil) is important to your health in relation to fighting depression, inflammation, and Alzheimer's. Now important eye-care effects have been demonstrated, which is apparently a benefit some clinicians have already observed for quite a while.

Most doctors have no idea that most cases of dry eyes can be cleared up, as this research suggests, simply by increasing consumption of healthy omega-3 fats. The other eye benefit from omega-3 would be a reduction in the risk of the most common cause of blindness in most developed countries, age-related macular degeneration.

Over 2,000 scientific studies have demonstrated the wide range of problems associated with omega-3 deficiencies. Your brain is more than 60 percent structural fat, just as your muscles are made of protein and your bones are made of calcium. But it's not just any fat that your brain is made of. It has to be certain types of fats, and it is highly likely you no longer eat these types of fats like you used to.

In fact, researchers believe that about 60 percent of Americans are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, and about 20 percent have so little that test methods cannot even detect any in their blood.

I test omega-3 levels on every patient in my clinic and find that the numbers are even worse than the researchers have demonstrated.

Other parts of your body also need omega-3 fats. Symptoms of fatty acid deficiency include a variety of skin problems such as eczema, thick patches of skin, and cracked heels.

Meanwhile, Americans eat excessive amounts of man-made trans-fats and saturated fats and vegetable oils high in omega-6 fatty acids, all of which interfere with your body's attempt to utilize the tiny amount of omega-3 fats that it gets.

Omega-3 deficiencies have been tied to many conditions, including:

My only concern with this particular study is that the women in it got most of their omega-3s from eating fish, which would be a near-perfect food if they weren't so contaminated with mercury, PCBs and dioxins.

That's why I so strongly advocate consuming a high-quality fish or cod liver oil daily. But you may not know how to select the best one for your health. I've created a special page full of links that can answer most of your questions about the many benefits of consuming a high-quality fish oil and recommend the best product available.

Please remember that for most Americans we are now in the cod liver oil time of year, as we simply don't have access to enough sunshine on our bare skin to help us produce vitamin D.

Important NEW Information About Cod Liver Oil Capsules

You have to be VERY cautious about using cod liver oil capsules. If for some reason you are not using the more economical liquid you need to understand that most brands of cod liver oil capsules can provide excessive doses of vitamin A (unlike the liquid) that can cause you a problem if you take dose in the 10-15 capsules per day that you will need to meet your omega-3 needs.

I reviewed this issue with Carlson and they were able to develop a low vitamin A cod liver oil capsule that won't get you into trouble. Interestingly they also taste great if you chew on them, almost like candy and I frequently chew them as a treat in the winter.

SO when you take cod liver oil if you feel you need to take the capsules the choice is very clear. Get Carlson's low vitamin A. If you can't find them we do have them in our store for your convenience.