In modern diets, there are very few good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, mainly the fat of cold water fish such as salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, black cod, and bluefish. There are two critical omega-3 fatty acids, (eicosapentaenoic acid, called EPA and docosahexaenoic or DHA), that the body needs. EPA and DHA are the building blocks for hormones that control immune function, blood clotting, and cell growth as well as components of cell membranes.
Omega-6 oils increase Pain and Inflammation. The problem is that Omega 6 oils are in almost everything. It is often difficult to eat prepared foods without getting 10 times the recommended daily dose of this very caustic oil. It is found in seeds, nuts, refined vegetable oils, such as soy oil. It is in snack foods, cookies, crackers and fast foods. Most cold cereals, breads, most boxed and packaged foods. It is also in many replacements for butter in the non-dairy spreads
Think of it this way, Omega 6 oils are very stable and keep food from going bad or losing that soft “twinkie” feel. Breads would quickly harden if not for omega 6 oils. Bagels and pastries would also lose the fresh baked feel in a matter of days if not for this stable fatty acid. For this reason food producers love to use this very cheep oil for food production because it maintains the illusion of freshness!
The ratio of omega-6 oils to the omega-3 oils should be (1:1) one to one, amazingly in the average American the ratio is over (40:1) forty to one. That’s 39 % more of the caustic pain causing omega-6 that is recommended.
Hormones derived from the two classes of essential fatty acids have opposite effects. Those from omega-6 fatty acids increase inflammation (an important component of the immune response), blood clotting, and cell proliferation, while those from omega-3 fatty acids decrease the pain and inflammation. Both families of hormones must be in balance to maintain optimum health.
Bottom Line… cut down on omega-6 levels by reducing consumption of processed and fast foods as well as polyunsaturated vegetable oils (corn, sunflower, safflower, soy, and cottonseed, for example). At home, use Macadamia nut oil for high heat cooking. Use extra virgin olive oil for low heat cooking and in salad dressings. Eat more oily fish and take EPA/DHA supplements, use walnuts, flax seeds, and omega-3 fortified eggs.
Dr. Dave Thomson
I just started taking a omega supplement. How do I know if it is a good one?
ReplyDeleteYour comment about processed foods tapped into one of my pet peeves. Many types of fast food in particular is harmful in many respects.
ReplyDeleteMany talk about the need to cut down on processed and fast foods. You gave the specific reasons why this is a good idea. Thank you for taking this advice to a new level.
ReplyDeleteNice post David...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you!
Omega-3 fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated fats, one of four basic types of fat that the body derives from food. (Cholesterol, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat are the others.) All polyunsaturated fats, including the omega-3 fatty acids, are increasingly recognized as important to human health.
Eating too many foods rich in saturated fats has been associated with the development of degenerative diseases, including heart disease and even cancer. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, however, are regarded as healthy. Omega-3 fatty acids (found primarily in cold-water fish) fall into this category, along with omega-6 fatty acids, another type of polyunsaturated fatty acids found in grains, most plant-based oils, poultry, and eggs.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are termed essential fatty acids (EFAs) because they are critical for good health. However, the body cannot make them on its own. For this reason, omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from food, thus making outside sources of these fats "essential."
"Bellevue Chiropractor"
http://www.chiropractorbellevue.org
Chiropractic medicine along with alternative medicine can help maintain body healthy. It is a great supplement to other forms of medicine.
ReplyDeleteYes,agreed on to that. Once you incorporate chiropractic care and alternative medicines,it yields better results.
ReplyDelete