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.
post construction cleaning Deerfield ..Many people use sugar as medicine. Sugar tends to change... Read More
It would be fair to assume that almost everyone on... Read More
What I am also going to point out is the... Read More
The makers of Bumble Bee Tuna generated some buzz today... Read More
Biological clockObviously you need biological clock to time and alarm... Read More
Today's tip is on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).Hypoglycemia affects both... Read More
They sit left behind on relish trays. They're often by-passed... Read More
During a recent discussion with my father about low carb... Read More
Magnesium is an important mineral that serves numerous essential functions... Read More
The most incredible thing you can do for yourself is... Read More
Toxic metals exist in our environment as pollutants in our... Read More
OK, no more excuses. Here's how to stop making everyone... Read More
What if there was a combination of foods that were... Read More
Unhealthy eating is a harmful problem in America, and contrary... Read More
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More
These are questions we have to ask ourselves? because after... Read More
Scandinavian fishermen are a healthy bunch. It had long been... Read More
Most of us eat at restaurants for a variety of... Read More
Diet nutrition physiqueToday, learning about diet nutrition physique isn't all... Read More
Why does disease begin in the digestive tract? Your digestive... Read More
You can eat whole flax seeds but you need to... Read More
Eating right to suit your blood type" is a subject... Read More
Post nasal drip is a sensation of mucous build up... Read More
NutrientsFat, Sugar, Sodium and CarbohydrateThe sections on a food label... Read More
With all the news about Splenda of late and the... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Bannockburn ..What is the Atkins diet and how can it help... Read More
The acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry has been around for thousands of... Read More
Vitamins & Minerals are essential to sustain life. Its what... Read More
You are what you eat is a simple, time tested... Read More
Eating grain products - breads, cakes, cereals - have long... Read More
Can the colors on your plate tell you what health... Read More
When was the last time you consumed soda? Most likely,... Read More
I confess: I'm completely addicted to Pringles. My determination weakens... Read More
Apple cider vinegar is a product of apple juice fermentation.... Read More
The importance of protein in diet has been clearly established... Read More
Question from Jack:A question from Jack, one of the subscribers... Read More
It is ironic how something as obvious as nutrition has... Read More
America's focus on nutritious eating began to receive national attention... Read More
A green and lush oasis in the middle of a... Read More
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
Before we get to honey we have a question from... Read More
Monosodium glutamate, commonly known as MSG, was thought of as... Read More
Cholesterol is present in our bodies by one of two... Read More
What is health? Everyone wants this thing called health, and... Read More
FOOD (Macro-nutrients)One of the most important aspects of hill walking... Read More
It slows ageing, promotes healthy vision, has anti-cancer properties, increases... Read More
The concept isometric has been a part of the health... Read More
Studies on whey demonstrate it's an even better protein supplement... Read More
Studies support the benefits of eating a diet rich in... Read More
Nuts are readily available and provide a highly nutritious food.... Read More
Nutrition |