In the United States, only about 4% of total annual health expenditure is directed at preventing chronic diseases. As the national conversation about healthcare reform continues, there should be a paradigm shift in healthcare practice - working to improve health through prevention rather than mainly managing symptoms. The United States spent about $2.2 trillion on healthcare in 2007. This accounts for 16 percent of our gross domestic product, and that's projected to rise to 20 percent by 2017.

Number of people with diabetes in United States increased to 24 million according to 2007 data by U.S. Center of Disease Control and Prevention.  About 57 million people have pre-diabetes. Diabetes is characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production (i.e., "insulin resistance" syndrome) that causes sugar to build up in the body.  "Insulin resistance" leaves excess sugar in the bloodstream, which damages small blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys, and other organs.

"The most pressing issue for the 21^st Century is nutrition, with obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disorders all linked to diet, and omega-3 will play a major role" (Dr. Dyerberg, Omega-3 pioneer).  According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), "in the last few years, experts have looked at omega-3s and asthma, cancer, the aging brain, dementia, neurological diseases, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, lupus, osteoporosis, eye health, mental health, and more".