Why SNP’s Efforts Have Focused on Stroke Belt Cities

Low Omega-3 Index levels in this region correlate with a higher risk for disease

New research released in July 2019 utilized the data SNP collected in seven cities within the southeast/south-central region of the U.S. known as the “Stroke Belt.” What was found was the mean Omega-3 Index levels were 4.4% – relatively low compared with the desired 8%–12% “cardioprotective target,” the range shown to be beneficial to help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Researchers at OmegaQuant, Dr. Bill Harris and Dr. Kristina Jackson, analyzed the Omega-3 Index in 2177 individuals participating in free health screens organized by SNP in 7 cities in this region, Charleston, WV; Indianapolis, IN; Jacksonville, FL; Lexington, KY; Memphis, TN; Oklahoma City, OK; and Toledo, OH.

Of all the people tested, only 27 (1.2%) had an omega-3 level of 8%−12% (in the desirable range), whereas 914 (42%) had an omega-3 level of ≤4% (in the undesirable range). An O3I of 8% or more is associated with a 35% lower risk compared with an O3I of 4%.

Support for increasing fish intake comes most recently from the 2018 NIH-AARP Diet and Health study, which looked at risk for death from a variety of causes in over 420,000 older individuals as a function of reported fish intake. They found reductions in mortality from Alzheimer’s disease of 38% and 24% in women and men, respectively. Reductions in all-cause mortality, CVD, cancer, and respiratory disease were all significant.

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