Omega-3's (also known as alpha-linolenic acid) and Omega-6's (also known as linoleic acid) are examples of essential fatty acids. In the world of nutrition the word "essential" means the substance must come from our diets. This is due to the fact that we are unable to produce this substance in great enough quantity to survive within our bodies. It is well known that Omega-3's and Omega-6's have very different properties within the body. Omega-3's have an anti-inflammatory property, where as omega-6's promote inflammation. The inflammatory process, although extremely necessary in the body, is also associated with increased sensitivity to pain and increased chance of heart disease. Due to this unique property of these essential fatty acids it is very important to include the proper ratio of Omega-6's to Omega-3's in our diets. The average american diet is estimated at having a ratio of 12 to 20 Omega-6's (Pro-inflammation) to 1 Omega-3 (anti-inflammation). The ideal ratio would be around 3:1 or at best 2:1. This aspect of our diets is completely out of balance and needs to be addressed.
In order to increase your daily intake of Omega-3's, foods such as fresh water fish(salmon), canola oil, flaxseed oil, walnuts, and fish oil are great choices. Also supplementing with fish oil on a daily basis is extremely effective at reversing this imbalance. I take a fish oil supplement each day around 2700 mg. Two companies that I recommend for getting fish oil include Innate Choice(http://www.innatechoice.com/) and Metagenics (http://www.metagenics.com/). Although there is not any evidance to support that the above companies have any better quality of fish oil, I will say that when you break open the capsules, they do not smell rancid like the ones from costco.
If you have any questions about this topic or any other health related topic please feel free to email me at drdevinshea@gmail.com. I will try to address all of your questions as blogs so that everyone else can benefit from the discussion unless you tell me otherwise. Thanks!
Yours In Health,
Devin Shea
In order to increase your daily intake of Omega-3's, foods such as fresh water fish(salmon), canola oil, flaxseed oil, walnuts, and fish oil are great choices. Also supplementing with fish oil on a daily basis is extremely effective at reversing this imbalance. I take a fish oil supplement each day around 2700 mg. Two companies that I recommend for getting fish oil include Innate Choice(http://www.innatechoice.com/) and Metagenics (http://www.metagenics.com/). Although there is not any evidance to support that the above companies have any better quality of fish oil, I will say that when you break open the capsules, they do not smell rancid like the ones from costco.
If you have any questions about this topic or any other health related topic please feel free to email me at drdevinshea@gmail.com. I will try to address all of your questions as blogs so that everyone else can benefit from the discussion unless you tell me otherwise. Thanks!
Yours In Health,
Devin Shea
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