Eating well means more than just choosing the right foods for our plates. Research from INRA (National Institute for Agronomic Research) shows that true health benefits begin with improving how we feed farm animals.
This shift includes boosting omega-3 intake on farms—for instance, by adding flax or DHA-rich microalgae to animal diets. These fatty acids help address human requirements of 2 g per day for alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and 500 mg for long-chain forms like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), per ANSES (French Food Safety Agency). Yet, as INRA biochemist and nutrition expert Jacques Mourot in Rennes explains, we currently consume only 800 mg ALA and 200-250 mg DHA.
The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio demands rebalancing too. Experts recommend no more than 5:1, but we ingest 15-30 times more omega-6, fueling cardiovascular risks. Restoring balance unlocks these fats' protective powers.
