You need Omega-3s

Michael Ventresca • June 13, 2022

Do you eat fatty fish like salmon, mackerel or sardines at least three times every week? Do you take an omega-3 supplement? If not, you are likely not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids and this is a big deal.


Omega-3s are nutrients found in a variety of foods that are essential to health. Let me repeat that, omega-3s are essential to your health – heart health, brain health, digestive health, joint health, immune health.


In fact, they are key to the structure of every cell wall in your body. And, unlike other nutrients that your body can manufacture, omega-3s must be consumed in the diet. Bottom line, if you’re not eating fatty fish about three times each week, or regularly consuming vegetarian sources like walnuts, hemp seeds, and chia seeds, you are likely preventing your body from being optimally healthy.


One quick note about vegetarian sources: generally, the omega-3s from fish (DHA and EPA) more directly enhance your health than those from vegetarian sources. For example, the omega-3s found in walnuts are called ALA. To be used, your body must convert ALA into DHA and EPA. However, this process is highly inefficient making a direct source of DHA and EPA is preferred (more on this below).


The good news is omega-3 supplements are plentiful these days. The bad news is, they are so widely available, it’s hard to tell a high-quality, effective product from a rancid, high-heat processed product.


If you’re looking for a pure, high-quality fish oil supplement, three brands I really like are Vital Choice Health Store Omega-3 Fish Oil, New Chapter’s Wholemega and Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega. At Vital Choice, we even offer an enteric coated product that minimizes fish ‘burp-back’, a common complaint.

But what if you’re vegan or would like to avoid fish? There’s good news. There are some relatively new vegan options that provide DHA and EPA from algae as opposed to fish. Two great products are Nordic Natural’s Algae Omega and New Chapter’s Vegan Omega3.


Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. The phone number is 440-885-9505. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

By Michael Ventresca • October 28, 2026
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By Michael Ventresca • October 14, 2026
Have you ever eaten a meal with garlic or onions, and almost instantly had stomach upset? Does it seem like just about everything you eat causes gas, bloating or indigestion? If this sounds like you, or if you’ve been told to try a FODMAP diet, today’s article could be the missing piece to a very frustrating puzzle. I know it was for me. Most people have heard of lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity, but far fewer are familiar with fructan sensitivity. Fructans are naturally occurring carboyhydrates found in a wide variety of foods but in especially high concentrations in everything from garlic and onions, to asparagus, wheat and even watermelon. For people who have difficulty digesting fructans, these foods can cause gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and sometimes diarrhea. The frustrating part is that fructans are found in so many seemingly unrelated foods that it can feel like almost everything you eat is causing a problem. That was my experience for years. Over the years, I tried a number of digestive enzymes. While many of them helped, none of them were a perfect match for the garlic, onion and pasta found in some of my favorite Italian meals. Then I stumbled across a product called FODZYME. FODZYME contains three digestive enzymes, including fructan hydrolase, an enzyme specifically designed to help break down fructans. FODZYME is a tasteless powder that you sprinkle directly on your food just before eating. The enzymes mix with the food and begin breaking down the fructans as you chew, before they cause problems further down the digestive tract. For me, the difference has been night and day. I am finally able to enjoy foods I have avoided for years. It’s important to note, there is still some trial and error involved regarding dosage. Because the amount of fructans varies from meal to meal, I find I need to adjust how much I use. Sometimes, one scoop is plenty, other times, I’ll use two. But if garlic, onions, wheat, or other high-fructan foods consistently leave you feeling miserable, FODZYME may be just what you need to start enjoying the foods you love. To learn more, or to try FODZYME, please stop in today. Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. The phone number is 440-885-9505 or visit VChoice.com . This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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