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The Omega Principle: Seafood and the Quest for a Long Life and a Healthier Planet
By the bestselling author of Four Fish and American Catch, an eye-opening investigation of the history, science, and business behind omega-3 fatty acids, the "miracle compound" whose story is intertwined with human health and the future of our planet
Omega-3 fatty acids have long been celebrated by doctors and dieticians as key to a healthy heart and a sharper brain. In the last few decades, that promise has been encapsulated in one of America's most popular dietary supplements. Omega-3s are today a multi-billion dollar business, and sales are still growing apace--even as recent medical studies caution that the promise of omega-3s may not be what it first appeared.
But a closer look at the omega-3 sensation reveals something much deeper and more troubling. The miracle pill is only the latest product of the reduction industry, a vast, global endeavor that over the last century has boiled down trillions of pounds of marine life into animal feed, fertilizer, margarine, and dietary supplements. The creatures that are the victims of that industry seem insignificant to the untrained eye, but turn out to be essential to the survival of whales, penguins, and fish of all kinds, including many that we love to eat.
Behind these tiny molecules is a big story: of the push-and-pull of science and business; of the fate of our oceans in a human-dominated age; of the explosion of land food at the expense of healthier and more sustainable seafood; of the human quest for health and long life at all costs. James Beard Award-winning author Paul Greenberg probes the rich and surprising history of omega-3s--from the dawn of complex life, when these compounds were first formed; to human prehistory, when the discovery of seafood may have produced major cognitive leaps for our species; and on to the modern era, when omega-3s may point the way to a bold new direction for our food system. With wit and boundless curiosity, Greenberg brings us along on his travels--from Peru to Antarctica, from the Canary Islands to the Amalfi Coast--to reveal firsthand the practice and repercussions of our unbalanced way of eating.
Rigorously reported and winningly told, The Omega Principle is a powerful argument for a more deliberate and forward-thinking relationship to the food we eat and the oceans that sustain us.
Omega-3 fatty acids have long been celebrated by doctors and dieticians as key to a healthy heart and a sharper brain. In the last few decades, that promise has been encapsulated in one of America's most popular dietary supplements. Omega-3s are today a multi-billion dollar business, and sales are still growing apace--even as recent medical studies caution that the promise of omega-3s may not be what it first appeared.
But a closer look at the omega-3 sensation reveals something much deeper and more troubling. The miracle pill is only the latest product of the reduction industry, a vast, global endeavor that over the last century has boiled down trillions of pounds of marine life into animal feed, fertilizer, margarine, and dietary supplements. The creatures that are the victims of that industry seem insignificant to the untrained eye, but turn out to be essential to the survival of whales, penguins, and fish of all kinds, including many that we love to eat.
Behind these tiny molecules is a big story: of the push-and-pull of science and business; of the fate of our oceans in a human-dominated age; of the explosion of land food at the expense of healthier and more sustainable seafood; of the human quest for health and long life at all costs. James Beard Award-winning author Paul Greenberg probes the rich and surprising history of omega-3s--from the dawn of complex life, when these compounds were first formed; to human prehistory, when the discovery of seafood may have produced major cognitive leaps for our species; and on to the modern era, when omega-3s may point the way to a bold new direction for our food system. With wit and boundless curiosity, Greenberg brings us along on his travels--from Peru to Antarctica, from the Canary Islands to the Amalfi Coast--to reveal firsthand the practice and repercussions of our unbalanced way of eating.
Rigorously reported and winningly told, The Omega Principle is a powerful argument for a more deliberate and forward-thinking relationship to the food we eat and the oceans that sustain us.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2018
47 people are currently reading
857 people want to read
About the author
Paul Greenberg
8 books102 followersPaul Greenberg is the New York Times bestselling author of Four Fish, American Catch, The Omega Principle and Goodbye Phone, Hello World. A regular contributor to the Times and many other publications, Mr. Greenberg is the winner of a James Beard Award for Writing and Literature, a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation and the writer-in-residence at the Safina Center. He has been featured on Fresh Air with Terry Gross, TED and PBS's Frontline.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
February 8, 2019
(EDIT: I'm upgrading my rating from 3 stars to 4. Over the past week or so I've talked about this book to 5 or 6 people, which made me realize I might have liked it more than I thought.)
One of my favorite books is Paul Greenberg's Four Fish: The Future of the Last Wild Food, and that was one of the reasons I jumped on reading this one. The other is that I have sometimes wondered how worthwhile omega-3 supplements are. (Among all the reading I did for a reefkeeping hobby, I saw the importance of phytoplankton to the health of my 50 gallon coral reef, and wondered if the claims of human benefit were half as good as the makers claimed they were.)
Greenberg doesn't come up with any conclusive evidence - the studies seem to go both ways - but there's enough to suggest it might be a good idea to change our diets so that our protein intake is more balanced between omega-3 and omega-6. (Omega-6 comes mostly from land-based animals, which is the foundation of the Western diet.) But Greenberg doesn't just look at omega-3 from a human health perspective, he looks at it from a global perspective. He's content with the ambiguity of the omega-3 studies, but the industries built around providing those supplements, and the current industries churning out lots of beef, turn out to be very toxic to our ecosystems around the world - in a very depressing way!
I love the inclusion of the environmental aspect of the omega-3 question, but the book often feels like it's jumping all over the place, sometimes multiple places even on the same page. And some things I thought he left hanging - like the Texas phytoplankton growing operation which sounded so logical. And in the end, Greenberg's take-away - - seems logical, but still unsupported by anything more than a dietary hunch (although the environmental side of it seems more sound). So, my review probably sounds more negative than it probably should, but I just couldn't get too excited about it. (I rec'd an advance copy from Amazon Vine.)
One of my favorite books is Paul Greenberg's Four Fish: The Future of the Last Wild Food, and that was one of the reasons I jumped on reading this one. The other is that I have sometimes wondered how worthwhile omega-3 supplements are. (Among all the reading I did for a reefkeeping hobby, I saw the importance of phytoplankton to the health of my 50 gallon coral reef, and wondered if the claims of human benefit were half as good as the makers claimed they were.)
Greenberg doesn't come up with any conclusive evidence - the studies seem to go both ways - but there's enough to suggest it might be a good idea to change our diets so that our protein intake is more balanced between omega-3 and omega-6. (Omega-6 comes mostly from land-based animals, which is the foundation of the Western diet.) But Greenberg doesn't just look at omega-3 from a human health perspective, he looks at it from a global perspective. He's content with the ambiguity of the omega-3 studies, but the industries built around providing those supplements, and the current industries churning out lots of beef, turn out to be very toxic to our ecosystems around the world - in a very depressing way!
I love the inclusion of the environmental aspect of the omega-3 question, but the book often feels like it's jumping all over the place, sometimes multiple places even on the same page. And some things I thought he left hanging - like the Texas phytoplankton growing operation which sounded so logical. And in the end, Greenberg's take-away - - seems logical, but still unsupported by anything more than a dietary hunch (although the environmental side of it seems more sound). So, my review probably sounds more negative than it probably should, but I just couldn't get too excited about it. (I rec'd an advance copy from Amazon Vine.)
April 10, 2018
Paul Greenberg's latest book is another fascinating and graceful mix of reporting on and thinking about the environment, fisheries, and food policy. This time around, he also addresses medical research and the supplement industry too. There is a lot to this book and it rewards careful and considered reading.
I learned a lot while going through this book - about omega-3 fatty acids, their impact on health and the environment, the difference between omega-3s and omega-6s, and the potential future uses of algae, among other topics I didn't know I would be interested in! As usual, Greenberg does not provide easy answers but he does provide an abundance of food for thought. As for me, I will stick with my usual fish-eating (thanks especially to Whole Foods sustainable frozen salmon) and forgo the fish oil pills.
I always enjoy this author's witty and reasoned voice, and this book is no exception. I recommend it to non-fiction lovers who are interested in seafood, supplements, and the connection between what we eat and how we treat our planet.
I learned a lot while going through this book - about omega-3 fatty acids, their impact on health and the environment, the difference between omega-3s and omega-6s, and the potential future uses of algae, among other topics I didn't know I would be interested in! As usual, Greenberg does not provide easy answers but he does provide an abundance of food for thought. As for me, I will stick with my usual fish-eating (thanks especially to Whole Foods sustainable frozen salmon) and forgo the fish oil pills.
I always enjoy this author's witty and reasoned voice, and this book is no exception. I recommend it to non-fiction lovers who are interested in seafood, supplements, and the connection between what we eat and how we treat our planet.
March 23, 2018
I received an advanced copy through Goodreads First Reads, and I am grateful for the opportunity.
The misleading title of the book might lead some to believe that the book is a diet book advocating omega-3 fatty acids, that it hardly the case. In fact, Greenburg's book explores the hollow, often-unproven claims of advocates for the diet. Taking a scientific and historical look at dietary fads, from the infamous snake oil cons of the 19th century to the problematic protein diets, he argues that the current fad is based more on faith than actual health benefits. More than that, he links the industry to the multi-industry emphasis on reduction. Greenburg finds the reduction industry to be problematic for multiple reasons, particularly in that it means large quantities of food are being used for non-food purposes, even in nations where much of the population struggles to find enough sustenance.
Furthermore, Greenburg shows how multiple human factors, from climate change to overfishing to the damming of key rivers such as the Mississippi and Nile, are negatively affecting both the fish populations and the tiny krill that are central to the ocean's food chain and the valued omega-3 fats. He uses all of this to argue for a more balanced and aware diet and industry that considers the complexities underlining the industry and the environment.
I am impressed with all of the research that Greenburg has put into the book. He acutely knows that the world is a complex and interconnected system, and works to show us how all of the little things he explores affect one another and the world as a whole.
That said, Greenburg's emphasis on the complexity of all the issues and their links to each other makes it difficult at times for a reader to put it all together for a solid conclusion. It took multiple reads before I finally understood what exactly he was trying to propose after all that, and in the confusion I became unsure whether or not I should continue to use fish oils in my diet. The people that need to read and understand this book the most are everyday folk, and the meandering nature of the book means that it will be hard to accomplish that purpose.
Still, my discontent over that flaw was remedied somewhat by Greenburg's last few sections, as he made several appendices to summarize his thoughts and give us solid ideas on what to do in the future. I especially enjoyed, as a seafood gourmand, the final chapter outlining several various recipes for different kinds of sea life - even if I'm unlikely to get around to preparing the roulades of Antarctic penguin breast!
In any case, the book is very insightful on both the health supplement industry and the environment. As a seafood lover, a person invested in the natural world, and someone who has been taking fish oil pills, I was very interested to learn more, and I recommend this to anyone wishing to explore the greater depth of these topics.
The misleading title of the book might lead some to believe that the book is a diet book advocating omega-3 fatty acids, that it hardly the case. In fact, Greenburg's book explores the hollow, often-unproven claims of advocates for the diet. Taking a scientific and historical look at dietary fads, from the infamous snake oil cons of the 19th century to the problematic protein diets, he argues that the current fad is based more on faith than actual health benefits. More than that, he links the industry to the multi-industry emphasis on reduction. Greenburg finds the reduction industry to be problematic for multiple reasons, particularly in that it means large quantities of food are being used for non-food purposes, even in nations where much of the population struggles to find enough sustenance.
Furthermore, Greenburg shows how multiple human factors, from climate change to overfishing to the damming of key rivers such as the Mississippi and Nile, are negatively affecting both the fish populations and the tiny krill that are central to the ocean's food chain and the valued omega-3 fats. He uses all of this to argue for a more balanced and aware diet and industry that considers the complexities underlining the industry and the environment.
I am impressed with all of the research that Greenburg has put into the book. He acutely knows that the world is a complex and interconnected system, and works to show us how all of the little things he explores affect one another and the world as a whole.
That said, Greenburg's emphasis on the complexity of all the issues and their links to each other makes it difficult at times for a reader to put it all together for a solid conclusion. It took multiple reads before I finally understood what exactly he was trying to propose after all that, and in the confusion I became unsure whether or not I should continue to use fish oils in my diet. The people that need to read and understand this book the most are everyday folk, and the meandering nature of the book means that it will be hard to accomplish that purpose.
Still, my discontent over that flaw was remedied somewhat by Greenburg's last few sections, as he made several appendices to summarize his thoughts and give us solid ideas on what to do in the future. I especially enjoyed, as a seafood gourmand, the final chapter outlining several various recipes for different kinds of sea life - even if I'm unlikely to get around to preparing the roulades of Antarctic penguin breast!
In any case, the book is very insightful on both the health supplement industry and the environment. As a seafood lover, a person invested in the natural world, and someone who has been taking fish oil pills, I was very interested to learn more, and I recommend this to anyone wishing to explore the greater depth of these topics.
May 31, 2024
First of all I wrote a review and accidentally exit out…
Rewrite…
I encountered this book while walking through the gift shop at ROM Museum one day.
I realize how little I knew about this supplement. The only knowledge I possessed was that my parents always tells me it’s good for your eyes and brain.
Omega 3 is in our lives more than we can imagine. I love how the book details everything from the smallest living thing to large environmental phenomenon.
How a phytoplankton creates Omega 3. How the need for fish oil destroys the ocean. How our diets are corn and soy based. How livestocks now not only does not graze the grass but is fed field food. How everything is in a circle that affects one another.
This book made me start freaking out about the world and how we are heading to doomed. It clearly points out every problem we as human created and continues to choose to ignore the problem.
At least the last chapter gave tiny hopes of many scientist and farmers innovating and pushing for better ways to change the way we eat. Change the way fish are harvested. I hope to see these practices become more mainstream in the practical world.
I will now go freak out and analyze everything around me.
Rewrite…
I encountered this book while walking through the gift shop at ROM Museum one day.
I realize how little I knew about this supplement. The only knowledge I possessed was that my parents always tells me it’s good for your eyes and brain.
Omega 3 is in our lives more than we can imagine. I love how the book details everything from the smallest living thing to large environmental phenomenon.
How a phytoplankton creates Omega 3. How the need for fish oil destroys the ocean. How our diets are corn and soy based. How livestocks now not only does not graze the grass but is fed field food. How everything is in a circle that affects one another.
This book made me start freaking out about the world and how we are heading to doomed. It clearly points out every problem we as human created and continues to choose to ignore the problem.
At least the last chapter gave tiny hopes of many scientist and farmers innovating and pushing for better ways to change the way we eat. Change the way fish are harvested. I hope to see these practices become more mainstream in the practical world.
I will now go freak out and analyze everything around me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2021
Paul Greenberg is my favorite modern author, but even I have to admit that I was turned off on the idea of a book centered around Omega 3s. Lo and behold, this book is much more than that and is likely now my favorite work of his. If you’re even curious about our oceans, this is a must read, and even if not, you eat food as a human being, and therefore you should read this. It is also an excellent companion to any of the Michael Pollan books!
February 20, 2025
What a fascinating topic: essentially, people wrongly assume that eating “bigger land animals” is the true indicator of wealth and progress, when in actuality, this habit leads to a surplus of Omega-6 in the blood stream. Westerners have the highest rate of sudden cardiac fatalities and our diet is likely the culprit. Perhaps, “true wealth” is eating lower on the food chain. The author further elaborates that there is a parallel between a dying, imbalanced body and a dying, imbalanced Earth.
February 22, 2019
Wow. In typical Greenberg style, here is another well-researched, well-written book on a most arcane subject. Perhaps more than you ever wanted to know about plankton, algae and menhaden, but written in his relaxed, informative style, it is an exposition of our broken food system.
He writes, "I had felt banished to the sea and seafood--a niche that occupied only a fragment of the average American's consciousness. I had wanted to move beyond the ocean and to explore and report on a much wider world." He accomplished that handily in this book.
But here is a thought that really struck me from the conclusion of the book: "That we are all born of the ocean and that we all carry the ocean in our cell membranes is something that I had passively known. But now I knew that this bond was much more intense and vital and played itself out in the millions of chemical bonds that coursed through my blood and my brain."
He writes, "I had felt banished to the sea and seafood--a niche that occupied only a fragment of the average American's consciousness. I had wanted to move beyond the ocean and to explore and report on a much wider world." He accomplished that handily in this book.
But here is a thought that really struck me from the conclusion of the book: "That we are all born of the ocean and that we all carry the ocean in our cell membranes is something that I had passively known. But now I knew that this bond was much more intense and vital and played itself out in the millions of chemical bonds that coursed through my blood and my brain."
June 12, 2018
The Omega Principle is a brilliant and engaging book that works on many levels: as a rousing environmental manifesto, a moving midlife memoir, and a gripping historical narrative about the shifting tides of geopolitical power.
Greenberg writes fluidly about how we are going to hell in a handbasket - overfishing our oceans and exhausting ourselves - and hoping that we can magically reverse years of unhealthy habits with a daily golden capsule of fish oil, that, by the way, is produced by destroying the bedrock species of little fish upon which our larger ocean ecosystems depend.
His writing is full of fascinating asides and, although this is a meticulously researched non-fiction book, it reads like a great novel. Some of the most interesting characters: 18th century explorer Alexander von Humboldt, the last doomed Incan emperor Atahualpa, rich guy turned ocean activist dubbed Jet Ski Brian, and, of course, Greenberg himself. In the closing lines, Greenberg says poetically of the people he's encountered while writing The Omega Principle: "Even in the face of cataclysm, their central mission was to realize completely lived lives." A good reminder to us all.
READ THIS BOOK! If typical summer reading recs get you down - too flimsy or frothy - this is the book for you. A funny and fascinating page-turner that equips you with information to lead a healthier and happier life and engage more deeply with the world around you.
Greenberg writes fluidly about how we are going to hell in a handbasket - overfishing our oceans and exhausting ourselves - and hoping that we can magically reverse years of unhealthy habits with a daily golden capsule of fish oil, that, by the way, is produced by destroying the bedrock species of little fish upon which our larger ocean ecosystems depend.
His writing is full of fascinating asides and, although this is a meticulously researched non-fiction book, it reads like a great novel. Some of the most interesting characters: 18th century explorer Alexander von Humboldt, the last doomed Incan emperor Atahualpa, rich guy turned ocean activist dubbed Jet Ski Brian, and, of course, Greenberg himself. In the closing lines, Greenberg says poetically of the people he's encountered while writing The Omega Principle: "Even in the face of cataclysm, their central mission was to realize completely lived lives." A good reminder to us all.
READ THIS BOOK! If typical summer reading recs get you down - too flimsy or frothy - this is the book for you. A funny and fascinating page-turner that equips you with information to lead a healthier and happier life and engage more deeply with the world around you.
May 29, 2018
In the trendy field of self-improvement, there are few catch-words as ubiquitous as "Omega-3s." But while most of us have a vague understanding that they are good for us, I am willing to guess that far fewer truly understand what they actually are, where they come from, and exactly how -- and the extent to which -- they benefit our health. In his typically insightful and engaging way, Greenberg answers these questions and much, much more in his newest book: The Omega Principle.
It turns out that the fascinating tale of Omega-3s takes us across far-reaching millennia, cultures, continents and cuisines. Greenberg leads us to the dawn of civilization in Mesopotamia to investigate what that ancient civilization can teach us about today's Mediterranean Diet. We dive into Omega-3 rich anchovies and sardines through visits to Peru and California, respectively. We go whaling in Norway and take a raft down the Mississippi as Greenberg explains how we are depleting vital watercourse ecosystems in the short-sighted pursuit of quick profit over sustainability. And we travel literally to the bottom of the world where huge pink blurs of krill in the Antarctic -- known to us all as whales' favorite food -- is seen as liquid gold to the Omega-3 supplements' industry. These examples are just the tip of the iceberg (ha!) to the wonderful eras and places you will visit in The Omega Principle.
Finally, what has always impressed me about Greenberg's books is not only the journeys that he takes us on, but that they seamlessly coalesce into powerful, persuasive and -- importantly -- realistic arguments about how we can become better custodians of our finite ecological resources to improve the health of both our planet and ourselves. In this way, too, The Omega Principle is another home-run. Highly recommended.
It turns out that the fascinating tale of Omega-3s takes us across far-reaching millennia, cultures, continents and cuisines. Greenberg leads us to the dawn of civilization in Mesopotamia to investigate what that ancient civilization can teach us about today's Mediterranean Diet. We dive into Omega-3 rich anchovies and sardines through visits to Peru and California, respectively. We go whaling in Norway and take a raft down the Mississippi as Greenberg explains how we are depleting vital watercourse ecosystems in the short-sighted pursuit of quick profit over sustainability. And we travel literally to the bottom of the world where huge pink blurs of krill in the Antarctic -- known to us all as whales' favorite food -- is seen as liquid gold to the Omega-3 supplements' industry. These examples are just the tip of the iceberg (ha!) to the wonderful eras and places you will visit in The Omega Principle.
Finally, what has always impressed me about Greenberg's books is not only the journeys that he takes us on, but that they seamlessly coalesce into powerful, persuasive and -- importantly -- realistic arguments about how we can become better custodians of our finite ecological resources to improve the health of both our planet and ourselves. In this way, too, The Omega Principle is another home-run. Highly recommended.
June 1, 2018
This book is changing my life and I haven't even finished it yet. As I consider myself to be both an environmentalist AND an occasional enthusiast for animal protein, I have had a hard time reconciling these facts. Here is a book that speaks to this conundrum and is both realistic, cautiously optimistic about the immediate future and one person's power to make change through small tweaks in individual behavior. The question of how we take care of ourselves and how we take care of our planet are inextricable and probably among the most important questions of our time.
Questions this book tackles:
How can we take care of our resources in the interests of a better future?
If Omega 3s are so important, isn't the prevalence of them in the ocean for years to come also integral? What can we do?
What's the benefit of taking a pill when you could just eat anchovies?
If you must, could you please take an Omega 3 capsule that is not derived from the reduction of fish (caught specifically for reduction)?
Also, why are you taking all those supplements anyway?
By the way, what's your role in food waste?
What does it mean to eat a "balanced" diet?
Any good recipes you could recommend for a long life and a healthy planet?
More coming, but so far I have to say this book is a game changer. The future is up to us and we all have a role to play in the future of the planet.
Questions this book tackles:
How can we take care of our resources in the interests of a better future?
If Omega 3s are so important, isn't the prevalence of them in the ocean for years to come also integral? What can we do?
What's the benefit of taking a pill when you could just eat anchovies?
If you must, could you please take an Omega 3 capsule that is not derived from the reduction of fish (caught specifically for reduction)?
Also, why are you taking all those supplements anyway?
By the way, what's your role in food waste?
What does it mean to eat a "balanced" diet?
Any good recipes you could recommend for a long life and a healthy planet?
More coming, but so far I have to say this book is a game changer. The future is up to us and we all have a role to play in the future of the planet.
April 18, 2023
Paul Greenberg writes a compelling story of how we could build a sustainable food and energy supply by focusing on aquatic life. I'm a vegetarian and don't plan on eating fish nor to I seek out grass feed beef, but I still enjoyed reading this book. Phytoplankton, such as algae, form the base layer of Omega 3 that is consumed in fish, which would be according to the author's recommended diet, part of the pescatarian-Mediterranean diet. Omega 3 also comes for green vegetables, but one could derive some quantities from eggs and animal products if the animals feed on grasses and not on substances devoid of omega 3.
I learned that omega 3 supplements have a short shelf live and many studies have not shown the benefits that earlier studies in healthy heart outcomes. This may be due to modern statins that people take now that also help in preventing heart disease.
The author goes beyond the Omega-3 discussion and proposes a solution of creating wind farms in the ocean that can also support colonies of mollusks to clean the water and provide a source of omega-3 to people, crops, and farms. I waver between 4 and 5 stars, but have shared information I've learned with others and would recommend the read.
I learned that omega 3 supplements have a short shelf live and many studies have not shown the benefits that earlier studies in healthy heart outcomes. This may be due to modern statins that people take now that also help in preventing heart disease.
The author goes beyond the Omega-3 discussion and proposes a solution of creating wind farms in the ocean that can also support colonies of mollusks to clean the water and provide a source of omega-3 to people, crops, and farms. I waver between 4 and 5 stars, but have shared information I've learned with others and would recommend the read.
April 29, 2018
Greenberg's magnum opus: Omega Principle is a captivating **MUST READ** that provides an illuminating crystal ball view into the future of human health and sustainable seafood on planet earth. I have studied and applauded the previous works of this NYT bestselling author and was blown away by this book. Here he brilliantly converts the once yawning and dreary subject of omegas into an action-packed adventure story in which he travels the globe diving deeply with omega experts from all walks (or swims) of life, and extracts crystallized wisdom from his lifetime of obsessive curiosity and exploration of all things saltwater then distills it all down into an amazingly good read. Greenberg unleashes a legion of fascinating revelations in this book, and using a fresh new writing style and rejuvenated vocabulary -- he shines bright light on our relationship with the natural world through the lens of curious oceanic molecules that somehow formed the foundation of our modern day civilization and will surely steer the direction that that civilization goes from here.
July 23, 2018
What are omega-3s? Why do we need them? Should we take fish oil?
This book takes you on a trip all around the world and through history, from the ancient Romans to Antarctica to the Mediterranean.
This book is really focused on the ocean and fish. I was hoping to learn more about plant sources of omega-3s, since the animals have to get it from somewhere, but I did enjoy learning about the smaller fish in the ocean and their importance to food chains. I never knew how heavily tiny fishes such as anchovies were fished, and that they were ground up for land animal feed. What the? After showing us just a few of the inner workings of our industrial food chain, the author hardly needs to tell us that it's seriously messed up.
As with so many books on food I read lately, this book exposes deep, foundational problems with the way we get our food and how hard it is on the Earth. I appreciate the inventors, dreamers, and changers the author highlights, and I can only hope that more people will start to move in the right direction.
This book takes you on a trip all around the world and through history, from the ancient Romans to Antarctica to the Mediterranean.
This book is really focused on the ocean and fish. I was hoping to learn more about plant sources of omega-3s, since the animals have to get it from somewhere, but I did enjoy learning about the smaller fish in the ocean and their importance to food chains. I never knew how heavily tiny fishes such as anchovies were fished, and that they were ground up for land animal feed. What the? After showing us just a few of the inner workings of our industrial food chain, the author hardly needs to tell us that it's seriously messed up.
As with so many books on food I read lately, this book exposes deep, foundational problems with the way we get our food and how hard it is on the Earth. I appreciate the inventors, dreamers, and changers the author highlights, and I can only hope that more people will start to move in the right direction.
December 17, 2019
These fatty substances have extensive tendrils that connect many aspects of our food systems and health outcomes. They have many varied relationships with many of our food sources, each with their own dependencies and repercussions. Almost like some kind of... "web."
Although many common food system components have such interconnections, reading this book showed that omega fatty acids are a significant pressure point and that the health of their sources are a good indicator of the health and stability of our overall system.
I loved how far this investigation into these lauded but seriously non-understood (health-wise) nutrients took me. That an investigation in to a small set of molecules could result in such strong and expansive commentary on our global food production systems is pretty impressive. Isn't chemistry great! Certainly more so than reading. EW.
Although many common food system components have such interconnections, reading this book showed that omega fatty acids are a significant pressure point and that the health of their sources are a good indicator of the health and stability of our overall system.
I loved how far this investigation into these lauded but seriously non-understood (health-wise) nutrients took me. That an investigation in to a small set of molecules could result in such strong and expansive commentary on our global food production systems is pretty impressive. Isn't chemistry great! Certainly more so than reading. EW.
January 7, 2025
This book came to me at the perfect time when I was being recommended to take omega 3 supplements and really wanted to understand where they were coming from and what kind of impact the industry has on our environment. I can never be sure whether peak health & sustainability are trade-offs, & this book gave me all the evidence & affirmation I needed to make decisions about my diet that will help me feel good physically, & ease the guilt of choosing health over sustainability. After reading this book, I feel hopeful that I can find balance in my own life in these areas & encourage & educate others as well!
October 9, 2018
"In the beginning we ate wild game, leafy greens, and seafood---a diet that put us in a 1:1 balance of omega-3s and omega-6s. In the next phase we tamed the wild grasses and bred them to produce grain and moved ourselves subtly in the direction of omega-6. In the next and most recent phase we industrialized both grain and meat production and tilted ourselves to a way of eating and farming that is making us and our planet sick. But today we stand on the verge of another revolution---a revolution that will take us out to sea and, in a way, back to the very beginning."
August 30, 2018
Insightful book. Greenberg makes a strong case for tilting our food system to greater emphasis on seafood and less emphasis on land based animals. He discusses both the nutritional benefits and he environmental benefits in a way that makes a lot of sense.
For someone who wants to reduce their environmental impact but isn’t willing to go vegetarian or vegan this seems like a decent middle ground to explore.
For someone who wants to reduce their environmental impact but isn’t willing to go vegetarian or vegan this seems like a decent middle ground to explore.
May 22, 2019
This bounces around too many topics. It is almost a stretch to say that fish oil is a central theme. I also do not think fish oil was a good vehicle for what the author tried to accomplish with this book. This is an environmental/sustainability book masquerading as a nutrition book. WRT nutrition, I’m not even sure I understand what the author wanted me to get from it. However, it is interesting and the segmented anecdotes are well written. 3 stars.
January 7, 2023
I am a personal trainer and have heard of the importance of Omega-3 for years, but I had not ever read a book about the science of fish before. This book is much more than just the science of Omega-3/6 we find in fish. Greenberg pushed me to think about my overall eating and how "food" policy has a huge impact on our environment and climate change. "Food" is in quotes because so much of the edibles we produce or harvest are used in non-food like ways.
August 3, 2018
This is a must read for anyone who hopes to unravel all the hype about Omega 3 suppliments and explore the science behind the nutritional and ecological challenges facing us all. The book is exceptionally well written and researched and begs to be read yet again to extract as much as possible of the author's brilliance.
May 26, 2020
I really liked reading this book. It was very interesting and eye-opening, and the writing flows very nicely. It made me reflect on things and think about the interconnectedness of the human economy and the marine world in ways I didn't quite think of before. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in human health, food, and/or marine science.
July 21, 2020
A book about fish oil supplements, yes, but more than that, The Omega Principle is a wide-ranging and thoroughly engaging reportage on the health of ourselves, our food system, and our oceans. See my full review at https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2019...
June 28, 2022
The information about phytoplankton was fascinating and the recipes in the back of the book were surprising and useful. The takeaway is an important one for the earth and our health: we need to eat more food from the sea and less from land. I think Greenberg could have established that for the reader in a more efficient, pointed way.
August 5, 2018
Fascinating history and insight into our relationship to fish, and fish oils. I will think about it and apply many of the revelations and connections to my life and career in water, waste and energy engineering.
December 6, 2018
this wasn't the book I thought it would be, and was a really nice deep-dive into the fish reduction industry, food supplements, and diet science, all with a classic Greenberg flair. His best work since Four Fish.
October 20, 2020
I like how the author included how the healthiest groups in the world don't usually rely on supplements. They rely on what we evolved to eat, food. The whole book was an interesting take into the world of seafood, especially omega 3s and the promises of improved health.
November 6, 2023
Aquaculture vs production animal farms is what I took away as the way to go. How to do that was left unexplained but it does make sense for our wellbeing. More plant-based foods and fish, less hamburgers and hot dogs. Recommended.
January 27, 2025
This is a really well researched Aunt written book on both the nutritional and health aspects of consuming seafood, as well as the ecological considerations for how much we should be eating and how much we should be leaving seafood in the ocean. Highly recommend the book.
August 3, 2018
Nonsense shaped in a way that is supposed to suggest "I know what I am saying". Fail.
November 1, 2018
I learned a lot about fertilizer and the global food system. Easy read, pretty wild story.
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