Omega 3 & Omega 6

Omega 6 essential fatty acids create hormones called prostaglandins that trigger an inflammatory response in the body. This inflammatory response has been linked to cancer, asthma, heart disease, chronic degenerative diseases, low immunity and premature ageing. Foods that are high in omega 6 fatty acids are meats, margarine, peanuts and most processed foods.

Omega 3 essential fatty acids have the opposite effect on the body and trigger an anti inflammatory response. Foods that contain omega 3 fatty acids are cold-water fish and fish oil , flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, soybeans, walnuts and walnut oil, organic free range omega 3 enhanced eggs.

The typical American diet contains foods that provide an over abundance of omega 6 fatty acids while being low in omega 3 fatty acids. The ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 should be 2:1 , however the typical American eats a ration of 20:1.

Free range cattle raised on grass, which is the natural diet of cows, is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, however, most cattle nowadays are raised on grains to fatten them up quickly and cattle that are raised on corn or other grains produce meat that is high in omega 6 but not omega 3.

Cold- water fish are rich in omega 3 fatty acids however, some fish are high in mercury and other various toxins. Most farm raised fish should be avoided since they are highest in toxins and low on omega 3 since they aren’t raised on marine algae. Unfortunately many wild fish are also high in mercury and various toxins since our oceans have become contaminated by pollution .

It is also unrealistic to think that the oceans of the world can sustain the voracious appetite of the human population especially that of the developed world where 2-3 servings of fish are advocated by some. The Monterey Bay Aquarium provides an excellent resource for which fish should be avoided because of over fishing or fishing practices that wreak havoc on marine life and the oceans ecosystem. Health alerts on which fish species are most toxic are also provided. Click on www.mbayaq.org then click on save the oceans and seafoodwatch

USANA’s BiOmega is fish oil that has gone through a double-molecular distillation process ensuring that it is free of heavy metals, PCB’s and pesticides.

Freshly ground flaxseed is also a excellent source of omega three. Make sure to grind the flaxseed freshly so the oils don’t go rancid. Flaxseed that isn’t ground up just passes through the body undigested.

 In the past 50 years fishing has exterminated 90 percent of large fish populations.- Greenpeace Facts