Keep Your Omega 3 in Balance for Optimum Health
Most people know the health benefits of Omega 3 but few have ever heard of omega 6. Or know the importance of keeping these two essential fatty acids in balance. Learn why this is important, and what is the proper balance.
Understanding Omega 3 and Omega 6
Omega 3 is in a family of essential unsaturated fatty acids. Studies have shown Omega 3 is beneficial to cardiovascular and brain health. It also helps in preventing cancer, improving the immune system, reducing the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis and many other benefits.
Omega 6 is also in the family of essential fatty acids but these fatty acids are inflammatory. Because omega 6 is inflammatory, too much can affect your health in a negative way. Omega 6 isn't bad; your body needs it to function. The problem is that the typical American diet is excessively high in Omega 6.
To maintain optimum health, your intake of Omega 3 and Omega 6 need to be kept in balance. Not doing so results in health issues like cardiovascular problems and increased inflammation and negative effects on arthritis.
The proper ratio for Omega 3 and Omega 6 is1:1 or 4:1. Unfortunately, the typical American diet is between 10:1 to 30:1. This imbalance is associated with heart attacks, thrombotic stroke, irregular heart rhythm, arthritis, osteoporosis, inflammation, depression, and cancer.
Obviously, it is very important to keep your Omega 3 and Omega 6 in balance. To do this, eat more foods that are high in Omega 3 like flax seeds, walnuts, wild-caught salmon, and albacore tuna. Limit your Omega 6 intake by reducing the amount of meat and vegetable oil in your diet including sunflower, safflower, corn, cottonseed, and soybean oils.
It's important to remember that Omega 6 is an important essential fatty acid in your diet but it must be kept in balance with Omega 3 to maintain optimum health. Do this by taking supplements for Omega 3 and eating less food with Omega 6. Keep these two essential fatty acids in balance and enjoy the health benefits.
