Got Fat?

Not all fats are bad. Some fats are so good in fact that we all need them for proper health of body and mind. There are a myriad of things that can be cured with one small change in diet. Joint pain, muscle pain, memory problems, digestion ailment, obesity, and arthritis are all states of inflammation. Inflammation is caused by the imbalance of essential fatty acids due to poor diets that many indulge in. Only 20% of Americans have a proper intake of these good fats. Are you one of them?

The average diet conscious person assumes all fats are bad but that is not all true. Everyone needs some fats in their diet and that includes you. Some over indulge in the wrong fats and some are careful to avoid them at all costs. Whichever side of the fence you are on it can only help to include more of the proper fats in your diet. Essential Fatty Acids, as their name implies, are essential and extremely important to health and wellness of human body. They are essential yet our bodies cannot produce them therefore the responsibility is ours.

If you have any kind of pain or dis-ease, you can assume that there is an underlying inflammation in your body, it can be on the that annoying pain in your back or the after dinner indigestion. Think of Essential Fatty Acids as natural anti-inflammatory. Food such as red meat and dairy products contain substances that can cause or stimulate inflammatory responses in your body. Nutritious foods such as fish, flaxseed, and walnuts contain substances that are anti-inflammatory, and can in turn reduce your pain or rid you of a dis-ease.

Let’s take a closer look at these fatty acids. Two main families of Essential Fatty Acids are Omega-3’s and Omega-6’s.

The ideal ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 s in our body is 2:1. Unfortunately with all the free radicals, preservatives, food additives, sugar substitutes, added hormones and other synthetic ingredients in today’s dietary world most of us are lacking Omega 3’s. Today, our ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 averages about 20:1 or worse which spells inflammation, dis-ease and much more.

Western diets are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and have excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids. This is not the proper balance our bodies need. Increased levels of omega-6 fatty acids promote inflammation and in turn many diseases, including cardiovascular, cancer, autoimmune and increasing omega-3 levels will have suppressive effects on inflammation and symptoms of such pathologies.

Thousands of research studies have shown the benefits of increasing Omega-3 levels in the human body. A lowered ratio of 2:1 (close to normal ratio) slowed down rectal cell proliferation in patients with colorectal cancer, and a ration of 4:1 did not make a difference. Another study shows a ratio of 3:1 will suppress inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, has beneficial effects on patients with asthma, and reduces symptoms related ADD/ADHD, as well as fibromyalgia.

Now we know the need for Omega 3’s but where can we find them? Fish oil, cod liver oil, and flaxseed oil contain high-quality amounts of omega-3. Fish oil is considered the best source for anti-inflammation and helps with a variety of symptoms however the brand of these supplements is somewhat important. Due to pollution of our oceans, the source of which the fish came from is extremely important; risk of ingesting troublesome levels of mercury is increased with generic Fish Oil supplements.

Be sure to consult your doctor about the brand you are taking or ask what companies are well researched, and tested. The one I personally take and recommend is from Nutri-West and is very well researched. This high quality, superb supplement can rid you of your moodiness, or joint pain and much more.

Therapeutic dose of omega-3 fatty acids depends on severity of your symptoms, origin of your pain, and much more. Consult your doctor to make sure there are no contraindications in you taking fish oil supplements. You can call me at 949.922.3465 if you have any questions, or if you'd like a free consultation.