FAQ

1. What is Dr. Dave's Mega-O?
2. Where do the omega-3 fatty acids come from for Dr. Dave's Mega-O?
3. Where can I buy these amazing products?
4. Who is Dr. Dave?
5. Where can I find out more about Omega-3 fatty acids?
6. How are other dietary options for Omega-3s any different from your delicious truffles?
7. Are any of your products organic and/or fair trade?
8. What’s the deal with this bicycle-delivery, low-carbon-footprint gimmick?
9. Is Dr. Dave really just one guy? How does he do it?
10. What else inspired the Mega-O movement?
11. Who did the great website and photography?

1. What is Dr. Dave's Mega-O?

Dr. Dave's Mega-O are foods enhanced with omega-3 fatty acids, providing a day's worth of what you need in just one serving. For example Dr. Dave's Mega-O dark chocolate truffles come in two flavors, Orange Shine and Mint Fresh (coming soon). All Dr. Dave's Mega-O recipes are meant to be healthy, delicious, and convenient.

4. Who is Dr. Dave? Dr. David Kiefer, MD, is a board-certified family physician who practices clinical medicine primarily in Seattle, while lecturing at conferences and at numerous universities on a variety of medical topics. He has completed a two-year fellowship at the University of Arizona in Integrative Medicine, a specialty exploring the field of nutrition, herbal medicine, dietary supplements, and preventive medicine, among other topics and modalities (www.integrativemedicine.arizona.edu). This training opportunity afforded Dr. Dave the opportunity to study, in-depth, the topic of omega-3 fatty acids and their health effects. Dr. Dave has published in a variety of medical journals, primarily on the topics of herbal medicine, nutrition, and dietary supplements.

5. Where can I find out more about Omega-3 fatty acids?

There is a plethora of scientific research about the health benefits that come by increasing omega-3 fatty acid intake. Please click on any of these links to be whisked away to additional information:

6. How are other dietary options for Omega-3s any different from your delicious truffles?

An excellent question! The most common sources of Omega-3's, with their accompanying benefits and drawbacks:

Salmon Steak	A pretty good choice, though it can be difficult to eat fish every day, and there are warnings, due to mercury, PCBs, and other contaminants, for some people and for the consumption of some types of fish.
Flax Seed Oil	Also a pretty good choice, especially for vegetarians. The problem? Flax seeds and other plants have the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, which is only very inefficiently (5-10%) converted to the omega-3’s (DHA and EPA) that are physiologically-active in the human body. The bottom line? You have to eat a lot of flax seed or flax seed oil to have a significant medical effect.
Omega-3 Capsules	A great choice. The catch? I, and many of my patients and other people I talk to, often forget to take their capsules regularly. Also, some capsules are large and difficult to tolerate.
Dr. Dave's Mega-O Truffles	I never forget to eat, so the possibility of getting my omega-3’s with food that I would be eating anyway (like chocolate) was a major reason for starting this venture.

7. Are any of your products organic and/or fair trade?

This endeavor started with a focus on maximizing omega-3 fatty acid intake in order to improve human health. Feedback from colleagues and customers brought to light the fact that human health is inexorably tied to broader issues of ecosystem health, the equitable distribution of wealth, fair trade, and sustainability. Now the goal is to transfer ingredients from conventional to organic fair trade ASAP and help to certify the facilities with whom Dr. Dave's Mega-O works. The details of this change will be updated regularly on o3foods.com.

8. What’s the deal with this bicycle-delivery, low-carbon-footprint gimmick?

The carbon footprint is one way to gauge the positive (or negative) effect that an individual or company has on the planet. As evidence surfaces about the untoward carbon-related changes to the climate that are occurring, it makes sense on many levels to pay attention to our carbon output. For every mile Dr. Dave can bike instead of drive, or for each package and set of packing supplies not needed because of a local bike delivery, you are receiving your healthy and delicious omega-3 foods in a sustainable and eco-friendly way. Many customers feel that it is worth the extra shipping charge for this! Limited to Seattle-Metro area only--Dr. Dave can only do so much.

9. Is Dr. Dave really just one guy? How does he do it?

Dr. Dave really is just one guy, but he has an impressive supporting cast. Dave says:

10. What else inspired the Mega-O movement?

From art to music, conservation to sustainability, the foundations of Dr. Dave's Omega-3 Foods LLC are varied, beautiful, fun, and meaningful. See below for details!

Music

Please buy this CD! Putumayo World Music “Music From the Chocolate Lands”

Prose

Steve Almond, author of Candyfreak (www.candyfreak.com), p. 55-56:

“A few words about this ferociously underrated product: The standard (HTM: Haviland Thin Mint) has a chocolate-to-mint ratio of greater than 50 percent. If, like me, you buy seconds, you can often find mutant batches in which the chocolate layers have come out even thicker. A fresh HTM has an almost liquid center and a mint flavor that is mild enough to complement the chocolate, rather than overwhelming it. Even at retail prices, one can buy a five-ounce box for a buck. In short, the HTM makes the York Peppermint Patty its @$%!?@.”

Poetry

"Chocolate"

Tongue slides, clicks--fulfilled
Makes eyes and mouth mischievous
I look at your piece

C.S. (November, 2002)

Non-Profit Support

We don't want to brag, but in a pinch we'll admit that Dr. Dave’s Omega-3 Foods LLC will be donating a percentage of its profits to groups involved with marine conservation, biodiversity, and overall environmental protection, hoping to give back in some way to the natural world that provides the raw materials for this endeavor.

11. Who did the great website and photography?

o3foods.com is maintained by Michael Garvey
Product photography by Raul Campoverde (www.raulcampoverde.com)
Website photography by Angila Jaeggli