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.
tidy up service Glenview ..In a study review conducted by David A. Geier, B.A.... Read More
It is shocking how many people are not taking advantage... Read More
Every person on earth has experienced pain at one time... Read More
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed.... Read More
Water is a vitally important component of any valuable and... Read More
Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything... Read More
Cholesterol finds its way into our bodies in two main... Read More
Are you concerned about taking care of your body before... Read More
Many people experience unpleasant reactions to foods they have eaten... Read More
You can start today - right now, even - on... Read More
Mango is my favorite fruit next to pineapples. They're sweet,... Read More
Millions of people around the UK consume dairy products on... Read More
"The physician who knows only medicine, knows not even medicine."... Read More
What are Glyconutrients? Glyconutrients are eight newly discovered biologically-active sugars... Read More
Some of the things you think you know that just... Read More
When Helen Boardman was still a girlish 99, she fell... Read More
Eating grain products - breads, cakes, cereals - have long... Read More
Better sleep = better metabolism. I have been saying it... Read More
The story of creation begins with water. Water is an... Read More
They sit left behind on relish trays. They're often by-passed... Read More
Question from Jack:A question from Jack, one of the subscribers... Read More
Constipation is the passing of dry, hard faeces fewer than... Read More
On average 30% of foods in our daily diet are... Read More
Fiber is the part of the plant that is resistant... Read More
For a natural and tasty way to improve your health... Read More
maid service near Winnetka ..As a low carb dieter, your diet is undoubtedly high... Read More
You may have heard that essential fats are an important... Read More
Many people avoid avocados thinking them to be fattening, but... Read More
In this fast paced world, good nutrition may sound very... Read More
An American culture that is marked by a chronic lack... Read More
Remember the old adage, you are what you eat? The... Read More
The first place that we cut corners when we are... Read More
During the Second World War, the Germans used fluoride as... Read More
Diets concern especially Americans as they do have a "national... Read More
Copyright ? 2004 priya shah Glutathione, the body's... Read More
Magnesium is an important mineral that serves numerous essential functions... Read More
Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic... Read More
Recently yet another super-heavyweight Iron Immortal died from a heart... Read More
The debate regarding Fluoride continues to rage, is it good... Read More
If you have a business trip tomorrow morning, you've probably... Read More
The most incredible thing you can do for yourself is... Read More
It's 5:30 p.m. and you're heading home after a long,... Read More
Finally, dieters and healthy eaters everywhere have reason to rejoice,... Read More
OK, no more excuses. Here's how to stop making everyone... Read More
East Meets WestAsian cultures have realized the medical benefits of... Read More
Many people use sugar as medicine. Sugar tends to change... Read More
Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules are a nutritious, all-natural alternative... Read More
How did we cure ourselves of many aches pains and... Read More
The topic of food additives is not quickly addressed in... Read More
The old clich? that you are what you eat is... Read More
Nutrition |