How Can Fat Be Essential?
By Garry Gamber
Did you know that some fats are essential to the body? Yes, there are some fats that our body cannot produce which means that we must get them from our food. Perhaps you've heard of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. These are both considered essential and must be supplied by the foods we eat.
What do they do? Well, the omega-3 fatty acid, for example is used for the production of healthy cell membranes and for the production of a class of hormones called prostaglandins. You know how aspirin and acetominophen are anti-inflammatories? So are the prostaglandins that our bodies produce from omega-3 fatty acids.
Now, we need the omega-3's and the omega-6's to be in the proper combination to be most effective to us. Empirical evidence shows that the proper ratio is about 4:1 between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. What do you suppose our average diet gives us? About a 20:1 and up to a 40:1 ratio; not even close to the optimal ratio.
Why is the balance so out of whack? Well, our normal diets are rich in omega-6 fatty acids. We get them from meats, dairy products, and processed foods. We eat a lot of those foods on average. We get omega-3 fatty acids from certain vegetable oils such as flaxseed, canola, and soybean. And we get omega-3 fatty acids from cold-water fish such as mackerel, sardines, salmon, and tuna.
Eat more fish! You've heard that said before, and now you know why.
Especially the salmon. It is especially rich in the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon , or any of the other omega-3 rich fish (but what tastes better than good salmon?) should be consumed at least once a week.
In order to get the omega-6 vs. omega-3 ratio in order, decrease your consumption of the saturated fat from meats and dairy products and increase your consumption of fish such as salmon.
Do you know how else you will benefit from increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids? Your cholesterol level will improve. You see, the essential omega-3 fatty acids have the ability to help decrease your total cholesterol and your LDL cholesterol level. The LDL cholesterol is the so-called bad cholesterol. So you will improve your cholesterol levels by adding a better balance of omega-3 fatty acids to your diet.
Not surprisingly, the omega-3 fatty acids can be heart healthy. Several diseases show improvement when patients increase their intake of these essential fats. Check out Dr. Ray Strand's important book for citings of clinical studies of omega-3. The book is titled, "What Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Nutritional Medicine May Be Killing You." It's a wonderful book and should be a standard reference volume in your nutrition library.
Eat well, take appropriate supplements, and stay healthy.
*****************************
Garry Gamber is a public school teacher and entrepreneur. He writes articles about real estate, health and nutrition, and internet dating services. He is the owner of www.anchorage-homes.com and www.anchorage-homes.com.
scheduled cleaning services Winnetka ..How To Have A Healthy ThanksgivingEnd of the year holidays... Read More
Finally, dieters and healthy eaters everywhere have reason to rejoice,... Read More
Every person on earth has experienced pain at one time... Read More
Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More
If you do not take time to stand back at... Read More
Summer is the time when we sweat highly and beating... Read More
Since 1994, food manufacturers have required the Food and Drug... Read More
Besides providing taste, color, and aroma, certain seasonings can also... Read More
The dangers of processed foods and diets Why is that... Read More
In a world where heart disorders and diseases are becoming... Read More
Fat is a nutrient that is a contributor to the... Read More
For some people it is really hard to give up... Read More
1. Enjoy what you eatWhether someone is following the Atkins... Read More
Post nasal drip is a sensation of mucous build up... Read More
How many times have you tried to diet/lose weight in... Read More
Biological clockObviously you need biological clock to time and alarm... Read More
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More
Eating grain products - breads, cakes, cereals - have long... Read More
Please feel free to comment, so that the article may... Read More
Last year I had a number of clients who started... Read More
One must always keep in mind that copper is not... Read More
"Organic" has some quite specific legal definitions in most developed... Read More
Eating right to suit your blood type" is a subject... Read More
I confess: I'm completely addicted to Pringles. My determination weakens... Read More
I would like to dispel some of the myths and... Read More
reliable maid service Lincolnshire ..Wow! Is it just me or? Wait! Let me start... Read More
The most dreaded word in many dieter's vocabulary is 'fat'.... Read More
It would be fair to assume that almost everyone on... Read More
The old clich? that you are what you eat is... Read More
Many low carb dieters fall victim to "carb creep," which... Read More
Healthy eating is important for everyone, from babies to the... Read More
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, and quite normal fat gain often... Read More
1. Water. If you're thirsty you're already dehydrated. The majority... Read More
Can a child thrive on a vegan diet? The answer... Read More
The quality of food we eat (or lack thereof) has... Read More
They sit left behind on relish trays. They're often by-passed... Read More
Initially discovered as a new element in 1811 by Barnard... Read More
Arthritis - if you suffer from this illness, I don't... Read More
Are you sick and tired of the confusion about our... Read More
After we have eaten a meal -- and often we... Read More
Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant... Read More
Nutrition usually only comes up when people are finally deciding... Read More
Weight loss plans are almost always trying to get you... Read More
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power. Over... Read More
Since Dr Basant Puri, a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer... Read More
The proliferation of fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and vending... Read More
According to the National Institute of Health, Magnesium is needed... Read More
First of all you have to have a bucket. You... Read More
Did you know the average American gains 5-7 pounds every... Read More
While packages of the artificial sweetener Splenda claim, "made from... Read More
Nutrition |