Volume 16 January 2014 of BOSA Newsletter

 

  “Only The Best Is Good Enough”

Volume 16 January 2014

Produced by:    Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA)
Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased)
New Market P.O., Saint Elizabeth
Jamaica, West Indies
E-mail: beershebaoldstudentsassn@gmail.com

Officers:     Glenis Daley, President
Victor Smith, Vice President
Vincent Samuels, Secretary/Treasurer, Newsletter Editor/Producer
Ann Hamilton, Assistant Secretary

HOLIDAY GREETINGS
It is the sincere wish of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) that all Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Honorary BOSA Members, Friends, Well-wishers, and other readers of its newsletter in Jamaica and the Diaspora that you will all have a Blessed, Peaceful, and Spirit-filled Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous, and Productive New Year.

REFLECTION ON BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL ALUMNI THAT HAVE PASSED ON
In keeping with the decision of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) to support a paperless friendly environment and go green, effective from Volume 16 of its newsletter, the Association will no longer list in its newsletter the names of Beersheba Primary School Alumni that have passed on.

All Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Honorary BOSA Members, Friends, Well-wishers, and all our other readers who are accustomed to see the names of those that have passed on listed in its newsletter, are asked to visit BOSA website: bosaonline.org where information is listed in full detains and it will be updated periodically.

Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to express its sincere condolence to all family members and relatives of the deceased as they continue to grieve and mourn the loss of their love ones. May the memories of these bereaved love ones continue to linger in our hearts.

DECISION TAKEN BY THE SCHOOL BOARD AT BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL (GOVERNMENT LEASED) AND THE MANAGING COMMITTEE FOR JAMES RICHARDS EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND RE SHANISA JONES, NOW GRADE 10 C STUDENT AT SAINT ELIZABETH TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL (STETHS)
BOSA comments on the above subject matter remains the same as they were written on page 1 of 12 and 2 of 12 in Volume 14 July 2013 of its Newsletter.

Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Honorary BOSA Members, Friends, Well-wishers, and all readers of this newsletter are urged to visit BOSA website: bosaonline.org to view and read new articles posted on the website that will give them additional information with respect to this outstanding, contentious matter unresolved.

PROGRESS REPORT ON SHANISA JONES, TANHOI GUTHRIE, NICKAYLA STEVENS, AND DAMANIKE SMITH

Shanisa Jones, grade 11 student, Tanhoi Guthrie, grade 10 student, Nickayla Stephens, grade 9 student, and Damanike Smith, grade 9 student who currently attend Saint Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Hampton School, Santa Cruz and Malvern, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, West Indies , continue to maintain satisfactory academic performance.

BOSA INVALUABLE HONORARY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, AND WELL-WISHERS
Cognizant of how invaluable Honorary Members, Friends, and Well-wishers are to Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association with importunity, continues his relentless search through the use of social net work websites and Information Technology (IT) to build BOSA database so as to add Honorary Members, Friends, and Well-wishers who are invaluable to the work that BOSA is doing in the interest and welfare of students at Beersheba Primary School.

Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to place on record and express its sincere gratitude and appreciation to Carlton A. Prince, CPA, New York, USA, Hartley Cawley, Cawsley’s Pharmacy, Black River, Saint Elizabeth, Rory Allen, Allen’s Texaco Service Station, Black River. Saint Elizabeth, and Reuben E. Spencer, Retired Entrepreneur, for their continued invaluable support to the Association.

BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL (GOVERNMENT LEASED) ALUMNI WHO CONTINUE TO HAVE A CARING HEART TOWARDS STUDENTS WHO HAVE GRADUATED FROM BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL (GOVERNMENT LEASED) AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY ATTENDING THE SCHOOL

Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to place on record its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Sheila & Winston Hamilton, Nora “Kitty Teacher” Lawrence, Kenneth Smith, Viola Cain-Hall, RN, Gloria Smith-Meredith, BSC, Roy Holness, Neville Jones and other Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) Alumni who have requested that they remain anonymous, for their generous sacrificial financial contribution that are utilized by the Association as a safety net to assist students who are in need to further their education.

NEED FOR GSAT STUDENTS GRADUATING BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL TO BE COMPUTER LITERATE
Against the backdrop of information given on page 2 of 10 Volume 15 October 2013 under the above heading, and in light of recent announcements made by the Ministry of Education with respect to the introduction and provision of Computer Tablets to each student at the Primary Level, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) met with the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) on December 4, 2013 to discuss the way forward regarding this matter.

Decision taken at this meeting at which four (4) additional items that were used as terms of reference for this meeting, is that the Administration at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) will take appropriate action to contact Stephen Curran, Network Design Director at Digicel Group, Kingston, Jamaica West Indies regarding  his interest that he has indicated to Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) to provide Wireless Broadband Internet Service to the school notwithstanding the fact that his knowledge of the terrain in the area could be challenging to provide service to the school.

MORE JAMAICAN PROVERBS
On page 8 of Volume 2 of BOSA Newsletter under the heading: JAMAICAN PROVERBS THAT OUR ANCESTORS TAUGHT US, we defined a proverb (which comes from the Latin word proverbium) in any
language – including Jamaican Patois – as a simple and concrete saying that is popularly known and repeated and expresses a truth based on common sense or the practical experiences of humanity.

In addition to one hundred and forty-one (141) Jamaican Proverbs that were published in Volumes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 of the Association’s Newsletters, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is pleased to list the following twenty five (25) additional Jamaican Proverbs for the information and consideration of all Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) Alumni, Honorary BOSA Members, Friends, and Well-wishers and other readers of its newsletter in Jamaica and the Diaspora:

    Fus word go a law
    Tek sleep and mark death
    Soap wata can’t wash bad mind
    Nothing can’t happen before de time
    Half a loaf is better dan none
    If you neba sleep wid dog you wouldn’t get flea
    Common suffering bring people together
    Talk and taste you tongue
    A wise sailor carries more ballast dan sail
    If a new hoe want to know how ground tough, im ha fe ask an ole hoe
    Good conscience better dan big waist
    Weh you bound you mu obey
    Wha dog find a fe him
    De  only cure fe sleep a sleep
    Tan up an look no spoil no dance
    Ebrey donkey sing from im own hymn sheet
    You can’t carry two faces under one hat
    Spider and fly can’t mek bargain
    Me an you a no cumbolo
    Neba count you eggs before dem hatch
    No trouble trouble till trouble trouble you
    When bull bruck im foot im eat wid monkey

ERECTION OF UNPAINTED PLY-BOARD PARTITION IN THE MAIN AUDITORIUM AT BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL
In the pursuance of comments listed on page 9 of 14 of Volume 7 of BOSA Newsletter regarding the above subject matter, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to report that as a result of pussy-footing by Ministry of Education Technocrats Errol Golding, Director of Technical Services, Courtney Hamilton, Regional Building Officer, Bertram Brooks, Area Building Supervisor, and Collin Blair, Director of Communications, the issue remains unresolved and inimical to all Stakeholders in the Beersheba Primary School Community. notwithstanding the assurance given by the Board of Governors Beersheba Primary School which met at a meeting that was chaired by Mrs. Nadine Leachman, Regional Director, Region 5, Ministry of Education that the Board would handle and resolve the matter, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to report that this outstanding matter remains unresolved.

BI-MONTHLY MEETINGS OF BOSA
Arising from two occurrences when Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) was unable to gain access to the main auditorium at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) – although the Association sought written permission from Mrs. Tatlin Smith-Williams and Rev. Phyllis Smith-Seymour, Principal of the School and Chairman of the School Board respectively to hold its meeting – the Association was forced to seek permission from the Pastor, Beersheba Moravian Church to hold its bi-monthly general meeting on November 13, 2013 in the church.

In accordance with the unanimous decision that was taken at the meeting, written permission has been sought and obtained from The Salvation Army, Carr Corp to hold bi-monthly general meetings of the Association in the Church Hall effective Friday, January 10, 2014 commencing at 4:00 PM.

FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH BOSA SCHOLARSHIP FUND
BOSA Members, Honorary BOSA Members, Friends, Well-wishers, and other Beersheba Primary School Old Students who have not yet heard but who through the help of other Old Students, and this News Letter, will be made aware of BOSA existence and the work that the Association has been doing in the interest and welfare of students at Beersheba Primary School, are urged to make Checks/Cheques/Money Orders for their generous financial contribution to BOSA Scholarship Fund payable to BEERSHEBA OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION and is to be mailed to the Association at 99 Jacaranda Avenue, Flat Rocks Subdivision, Black River P.O., Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies. Another most cost effective method for persons named herein to send their generous financial contribution to the association is to use MONEYGRAM MONEY TRANSFER which should be sent to the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association at the Association’s indicated herein. The name and mailing or e-mail address of the Sender, and Reference/Control Number, amount that will be sent of the money that will be transferred should be called in to the Secretary/Treasurer at telephone numbers: 1-876-634-2410, 1-876-919-0456, 1-876-297-1515 or e-mailed to the Association’s e-mail address: beershebaoldstudentsassn@gmail.com All donations received will be promptly acknowledged in writing on BOSA official letter head.

Persons living in Jamaica, West Indies may deposit their generous financial contribution to BEERSHEBA OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION Savings Account No. 4410317200298396 at any Branch of RBC Bank Jamaica Limited and advise the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association when this has been done so that such contributions may be promptly acknowledged in writing. Likewise, persons who reside outside of Jamaica in London, England, may wire their financial contributions by either MoneyGram Money Transfer or Western Union Money Transfer to me at the address given,  99 Jacaranda Avenue, Flat Rocks Subdivision, Black River P.O., Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies, Money Control Transfer Number along with addresses and telephone numbers of persons making financial contribution should be sent to BOSA e-mail address: beershebaoldstudentsassn@gmail.com

MEET THE ACHIEVERS AND TRAILBLAZERS
No profile has been received from any Beersheba primary School (Government Leased) Alumnus/Alumna; consequently, there is nothing to report under this heading in this newsletter.

Editor’s Note: If Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora would like to see themselves being featured under this heading, Alumni who have not yet responded to appeals made in BOSA Newsletters to send the Editor/Producer their curriculum vitae, academic, and communal profile as an attachment to the Association’s e-mail address, are urged to do so in order that they can be published in Volume 15 as well as future volumes of the newsletter.

RESOLUTION TO RENAME BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL JAMES RICHARDS PRIMARY SCHOOL
As a result of the above subject matter being thoroughly discussed with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education in a meeting that was held at the Ministry’s Head Office in Kingston, Jamaica west Indies on March 13, 2013, and the matter being given full support by the Saint Elizabeth Parish Council, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is hopeful that with the full backing of the entities named herein, the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) will acquiesce to meet with BOSA so that in the same way that Bob Marley Foundation has succeeded in getting cabinet approval for Hon. Robert “Bob” Nester Marley alma mater to be named after him, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) will also get Cabinet approval to rename James Richards alma mater, Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) after him.

Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to report that this subject matter was discussed at the meeting that was held in the main auditorium at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) between the School Board Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) and the Association on December 4, 2013. The Chairman of the School Board Rev. Phyllis Smith-Seymour – a Moravian and member of the decision making body in the Moravian Church pertaining to educational matters – informed the meeting that notwithstanding consensus reached by stakeholders in Beersheba School Community that the school should be renamed, the decision of the Moravian Church in Jamaica which she will communicate to the Association in writing is that the name of the school will not be changed despite philanthropic contributions that James “Dick” Richards, Beersheba Primary School Alumnus, Soldier, Self-made Businessman, Philanthropist, Icon, and Legend has made to the school.

The big issue that will have to be resolved by Cabinet or the Courts in the Government of Jamaica is whether or not the Moravian Church as a Protestant Denomination has the inalienable right to ignore the voice of the majority of stakeholders in Beersheba School Community and in so doing, deny the greatest good to the greatest number.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS (SCHOOL BOARD) BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL, (GOVERNMENT LEASED) NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH, JAMAICA, WEST INDIES
The National Council on Education (NCE) has published the names of the following persons whom the Honourable Minister of Education has appointed to serve on the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government School), New Market, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies:

Chairman: Rev. Phyllis Smith-Seymour
Principal:   Mrs. Tatlin Smith-Williams
Academic Member: Mrs. Naomi Foster-Brooks
PTA Member: Nickesha Lawrence
Community Member: Mr. Valdes Hamilton
Member 1: Mrs. Karen Walker

GOLDEN THOUGHTS AND NUGGETS THAT ARE WORTHWHILE PONDERING
“You can be a private success but a public failure”
“You still can rise to be King and have a hole in your heart about things you did not get settled”
“Family is God’s way of introducing us to a social environment. It is a support group for a life long journey, a gymnasium for love to work out in.”
“Why do we get attached so quickly to things that are synthetic and leave things that are organic?”
“When you hold on to your history, you do it to the expense of your destiny. You must learn to Let It Go!!”
“Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself because you Let Go whatever is hurting you. When you keep remembering past hurtful images, you empower them. Let Them Go!!”
“The humility it takes to prioritize issues is the way to strengthen family ties. We must learn to attack the issues and not the individual.”
“Love a person on the level that he/she can handle rather than the way that you would like him/her to be. You’ve got to meet people where they are and love them in the reality rather than in the ideal that you and me would like them to be.”
“Some people find it difficult to love others whom they cannot manage or control. When you love imperfect people, you actually put yourself in a position where you as an imperfect person can also be loved.”

Bishop T.D. Jakes as he was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), Dallas, Texas, USA on September 29, 2013 on the topic: Fixing Broken Families.

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“Be careful what you do, ‘cause it’s going to feed back on you”

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A Caller speaking with RJR Hotline Host Clive Mullings on September 23, 2013

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“I know I can be what I want to be if I work hard on it, I can be where I want to be”

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“Your faith will take you as far as you believe”

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“A quick tempered person will act foolishly.”

Dr. Randolph Watson, Educator and native of Kilmarnock, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, Guest Speaker at Black River Preparatory School Graduation Exercise 2013

• “It does not matter how successful you are in life, the biggest person can drop”

• “If you are going to College, work part-time and go to College part-time and you will graduate one year later than others but you will graduate with four years of experience.”

• “Success is not the same for everybody”

• “You can make money without money by focusing on opportunities”

• “The harder things get, the more enterprising they become because the environment is changing”

Yaneek Page, Entrepreneur, Television Producer, and High Achiever in interview conducted by Ian Boen on Profile seen on TVJ on Sunday, October 14, 2013.

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“A hero is one who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.”

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“Don’t just do something because you are born into it or because your parents are in it; search out truth for yourself.”
“Unless you discover your purpose in life, you will never be satisfied”

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Abraham John, Fulltime Minister of the Gospel in India in his interview on Friends Forever TV (FFTV)

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“What made Nelson Mandela great, is what made him human: His love for his people”

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Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa

“Do not judge me by my successes; judge me by the many times I’ve fallen and get back up again”

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Nelson Mandela (1918-2013), Freedom Fighter, Global Icon and Legend, and First Black President of South Africa

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BEERSHEBA OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (BOSA) HOME-COMING AND STUDENTS REUNION
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has not received any feedback, comment, and/or suggestion since the above subject matter was promulgated and thoroughly discussed in Volume 13 page 12 of 12 in its Newsletter, April 2013.

MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HAMILTON, BERMUDA TO VISIT JAMAICA IN 2014
In the pursuance of information that Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) provided tom its readers on page 8 of 10 and 9 of 10 under the above heading in Volume 15 of its newsletter, October 2013, the Association wishes to provide its readers with the following update that came out of meetings of the Select Committee appointed by His Worship the Mayor of Black River and Chairman saint Elizabeth Parish Council Councillor Everton Fisher and the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) on November 25, 2013 and December 4, 2013 respectively:

– The Mayor’s Select Committee will write the Administration at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) to attend and participate in meetings of the Committee.

–   The Administration at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) will take appropriate action to ensure that students at the school with input from Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) and Social Development Commission (SDC) will render cultural items when the Mayor of Hamilton visits the school and the Cultural Heritage Centre at Carr Gate, New Savannah, New Market, Saint Elizabeth.

–  Dialogue will continue with the present owner of the property at Carr District, Saint Elizabeth, where James “Dick” Richards was born so as to obtain acquiescence to erect and mount a monument at the site which the Mayor of Hamilton will be asked to unveil when he visits the area. The graves of James “Dick” Richards ancestors that have located at the rear of the property will also be visited by the Mayor.

–    Dialogue will continue with Anthony “Tony” Tatham, present owner of “Dell Cottage”, Carr District, Saint Elizabeth so as to obtain acquiescence to erect and mount a Story Board at the site which the Mayor of Hamilton will be asked to unveil. The Mayor will also visit the graves of Doxie Gayle – brother of James “Dick’ Richards – and his wife Sister Gally that are located at the rear of the property. The Mayor will also visit the rain water tank that James “Dick” Richards constructed using the expertise of a Bermudian Master Builder and Mason. The rain water tank was built to provide rain water for Mr. Richards’ brother and his family and poor people in the impoverished, poverty stricken, peasant farming community.

THE ELESA HAMILTON SCHOLARSHIP THAT WAS ANNOUNCED AT THE MEETING OF BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL (GOVERNMENT LEASED) PTA THAT WAS HELD AT THE SCHOOL ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2013
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to inform its readers, that none of the sixteen students at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) who sat the Ministry of Education Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) in 2013 met the criteria that would qualify them to benefit from The Elesa Hamilton Scholarship.

Parents and other Stakeholders are urged to take active interest in the welfare of students who attend Beersheba Primary School so as to ensure that they will be able to meet and satisfy the criteria set by the Hamilton Family that manages and makes disbursements from the Scholarship Fund to qualified beneficiaries.

THE ABCS OF OMEGA-3S WRITTEN BY DR. ERIK LURDQUIST WITH COLLABORATION FROM JOSIE DAVISON, GRAYBILL MARKETING (THE GRAYBILL BLOG, VOLUME 1, ISSUE 9A) BRAYBILL MEDICAL GROUP, CALIFORNIA, USA
What’s the big deal with fish oil and omega-3 essential fatty acids?

I am often asked by my patients whether or not they really need to take omega-3 supplements (commonly known as “fish oil”). They follow up this question with another two-part question, “how much should I take?” and “what is the best kind?” I hope to answer these questions in this week’s blog.

First, let’s try to sort out the confusion many people have regarding omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs). Omega-3sare part of a group of fats called essential fatty acids (EFAs). EFAs are considered essential because (1) our bodies cannot manufacture them (they must be acquired through the foods we eat. (2) Without them our bodies will suffer illness or disease. The other EFAs our bodies need are omega-6s and omega-9s.

Omega-3 EFAs: There are three different kinds of omega-3 EFAs: alpha linoleic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Dietary sources of omega-3 EFAs include:

–    ALA: flax, hemp seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts.
–    EPA/DHA:fatty fish such as herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout, and tuna (hence the term, “fish oil”)
Also, our bodies can make EPA and DHA from ALA but it takes a long time and some sources say only 2% of ALA is converted into EPA/DHA.

Omega -6 EFAs: The three types of omega-6s are linoleic acid (LA), gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and arachidonic acid (AA). Dietary sources of omega-6s include:

–   LA: most vegetable oils, such as corn, safflower, sesame, soy, and sunflower seed.
–    GLA: black currant, borage, and evening primrose oil.
–    AA: beef from grain (corn) fed cows and eggs from grain (corn) fed chickens.
Omega-9 EFAs: Most monounsaturated fat in the human body is in the form of omega-9s. Avocados, canola oil, olives, olive oil, and various nuts and seeds are dietary sources of monounsaturated fat. These types of fats have been shown to lower LDH (“bad cholesterol”) levels (J Nutr. 1999; 2280-2284)

HOW EFAs AFFECT OUR HEALTH
When we look at the ratio of omega-6 (AA) to omega-3 (EPA) in our food supply, we can get a sense of how our society’s health is being affected. A hundred years ago in the U.S. and today in regions with lower cardiovascular disease such as Okinawa, Japan, we see a ratio of <4:1. However, now in the U.S. we are seeing ratios as high as 50:1 (Rizzo, et al. lipids in Health and Disease 2010.) This comes from eating meat from industrialized livestock that has a higher omega-6:3 ratio because the animals are being fed large quantities of corn (a government subsidized crop).

This is why we see such amazing benefits from increased omega-3 consumption in our diets, from flax seeds to fish to supplements containing omega-3s. Omega-3s play a key role in a number of important metabolic processes such as:

–    Keeping cell membranes fluid, flexible, and permeable to function properly
–   Reducing pro-inflammatory signals and activities
–    Scavenging free radicals (highly reactive molecules that can cause cellular death)
–   Promoting healthy blood flow and reducing clotting
–    Reducing unhealthy cholesterol levels and triglycerides

WHAT AMOUNTS OF OMEGA-3 EFAs SHOULD WE BE GETTING?
I recommend that my patients eat a diet rich in plant fats such as flax seeds, nuts, avocados, and olive oil. I also recommend eating 2-3 servings of fish per week. In addition to this, I may recommend taking supplements rich in EPH and DHA, typically in doses of 800mg EPA and 500mg of DHA per day. One serving of three ounces of salmon is equivalent to approximately 1 gram of fish oil supplementation per day for one week.

To further improve the omega-6:3 ratio, I also recommend reducing consumption of omega-6 EFAs from processed fast foods and polyunsaturated vegetable oils (corn, sunflower, safflower, soy, and cottonseed, for example).

RESEARCH ON HEALTH BENEFITS OF OMEGA-3s
The roles of EPA and DHA in supporting cardiovascular health, central nervous system function, eye health, and fetal nervous system development are well documented. Additionally, a growing body of evidence suggests that specific omega-3s may be advantageous in the management of other chronic diseases with an inflammatory component, such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), and rheumatoid arthritis. (Ann Nutr Metab, 2009; 55:123-139.)

CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS
The vast majority of research has focused on the cardio protective benefits of omega-3s for example:

–   In the 1970s Band and Dyerberg established that the low death rate from heart disease (then at only 3.5%) in Greenland Eskimos was partially due to blood-thinning effects of diets rich in omega-3s, especially EPA. (Am J Clin Nutr. 1980; 33(12):2657-2661.)

–    A review of three prospective epidemiological studies published in Circulation concluded that men who ate fish at least once a week had lower levels of coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality than men who ate no fish. (Circulation 1956; 94:2337-2340.)

–   The Nurses’ Health Study reported an inverse relationship between (1) omega-3 fatty acid intake from fish and (2) death from CHD in women. Compared with women who ate fish less than once per month, the risk for those who consumed fish one-to-three times per month was 79%; once per week (71%), two-to-four times per week (69%); more than five times per week (66%). (JAMA. 2002; 287:1815-1821.)

MENTAL AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM BENEFITS
Omega-3s are often referred to as “brain food,” and for good reason: DHA is the predominant fatty acid in the central nervous system and plays an important role in neural development and function. (Indian J Pediatr.2005; 72(3):239-242.)

Epidemiological evidence suggests that high polyunsaturated fat intake may have a protective effect against the development of mild cognitive impairment. Possible mechanisms include the presence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in omega-3 rich foods and the effect of omega-3s on maintaining the structural integrity of neuronal membranes. (Aging Res Rev. 2010; 9(2):184-199.)
–    Three randomized controlled trials suggest that DHA supplementation improved cognitive function in nine-month old infants. (Child Dev. 2009; 80(50:1375-1384.)
–   A review of research involving patients with major depressive and bipolar disorder found convincing evidence for beneficial effects of omega-3s, especially EPA. (Lipids Health Dis. 2007; 6:21.)

EYE HEALTH
DHA, found in high concentrations in the retina, has been shown to have an important role in supporting eye health. For example:

–    Researchers at the Louisiana State University Neuroscience Center of Excellence reported that DHA protects retinal cells from degenerative diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. (AMD). Trends Neurosci. 2006; 29(5):263-271.)

–    A literature review on the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Ovid databases found evidence that omega-3 supplementation may be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of dry eye syndrome. (Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2010; 33(2):49-54.)

–   A double-masked, randomized, controlled, parallel-group, prospective, dose-response study found that infants who were fed a DHA-fortified infant formula had better vision when compared to infants fed a non-supplemental formula. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91(4):548-859)

FOOD OR SUPPLEMENTS?
Due to concerns over the level of mercury and other contaminants in fish and shellfish, the US Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency in 2004 issued a joint advisory to women of childbearing age and young children to avoid certain large species of fish and limit their consumption of other fish to two average meals a week.

If you’re concerned about seafood contamination or if your health status requires high dosages of omega-3s, a dietary supplement may be a better option. But be aware that in my experience, not all fish oil supplements will deliver the benefits that my patients are looking for. Some companies add toxic fillers like trans-fats or have impurities such as mercury.

The fact is that product quality can vary widely from one manufacturer to another. In choosing one brand over another, be sure to pay careful attention to the following:

–  Quality. Look for products that meet or exceed the standards set by highly respected organizations such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Good Manufacturing Processes), International Pharmacopoeia, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (Omega-3 Monograph), and the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED). (Note: some omega-3 products claim to be “ultra pure” or “ultra refined.” But these are merely marketing terms; they are not actual standards of quality.)

–    Stability. Is the supplement antioxidant stabilized? Antioxidants such as tocopherols and rosemary are often added to omega-3 supplements to protect against rancidity. Avoid any product that smells rancid or looks cloudy.

–    Delivery form. Having the right product in the right delivery form-liquid, softgel, or chewable-can make following the plan prescribed by your healthcare provider a lot easier. Be sure the omega-3 supplement you’re buying fits your individual preferences.

–    “Fishy” taste. Less refined products have a fishier taste and some individuals are more prone to “burp-up” (repeating) that leaves a fishy aftertaste for hours afterward-even with higher quality products. These common unpleasant side effects can be reduced by using products with added citrus flavors or that are enteric-coated to prevent the oils from releasing before they reach your small intestine.

NET THE BENEFITS OF OMEGA-3s
Omega-3s are essential nutrients with well-documented health benefits. Although sources are plentiful, the increase in inflammatory related chronic diseases, most notably cardiovascular disease, suggests that most people aren’t getting enough of this vital nutrient. Fortunately, this can be easily remedied by consuming a more healthful balance of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs to support your unique health needs.

Editor’s Note: We wish to remind our readers that as part of its vision to contribute to a paper free environment as well as to use Information Technology (IT) to minimize cost, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) will no longer circulate its Newsletters by Post Office and hand delivery. Effective immediately, BOSA Newsletters will be sent as e-mail attachments to persons whose e-mail addresses are in BOSA data base and they will also be posted simultaneously on its website: http://bosaonline.org on publication.

“A heart that is focused on others will not be consumed with self”