Posted: July 26, 2019 | By: Stacy Croninger
Omega-3 is an essential Nutrient
Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid (EFA) and one of the 90 Essential Nutrients recommended by Dr Wallach for optimal health. It’s essential because it’s needed for a wide-range of functions in the body and must be consumed in one’s diet. Omega-3 plays a vital role in brain function, normal growth and development, and helps reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, Omega-3 helps reduce inflammation; which helps lower ones risk for a variety of chronic diseases. In a country where so many individuals suffer from heart disease, cancer, and arthritis, consuming Omega-3 is becoming more and more vital.
Sup-Optimal levels of Omega-3s
Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, found that 95.7% of a nationally-representative sample of Americans have sub-optimal levels of Omega-3s. The real concern here is that Americans are consuming extremely high levels of Omega-6 (polyunsaturated fatty acids) from unhealthy food sources such as vegetable oils. Although we need Omega-6 in our diets, as it is essential for a variety of functions, high levels of Omega-6 from unhealthy food sources are pro-inflammatory and can wreak havoc on your health.
A healthy 1:1 or even 2:1 ratio of Omega-6 to Omega 3 would be ideal. However, for 95% of Americans, this is simply not the case. Today’s modern diet ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 is close to 20:1; meaning inflammation is highly elevated in most American diets. Consuming a diet from healthy sources of Omega 3 and Omega 6 is essential for optimal health.
Below are a few examples of ideal Omega-6 and Omega-3 food sources.
Omega-6: Avocados, nuts & seeds, eggs, grass-fed meat (including chicken and pork) and coconut oil.
Omega-3: Fish (wild-caught), fish oil, nuts, eggs, flaxseed, and other marine sources.
The Omega-6s that most Americans are consuming aren’t coming from healthy food sources. Below are a few examples of daily omega-6 consumption.
Unhealthy Omega-6: Vegetable oils (corn oil, soybean oil, canola oil, safflower oil, etc.), salad dressings and mayonnaise, packaged snacks (chips, popcorn, food bars), fast-food (especially French fries), sweets (cookies, candies, pastries, cake, etc.).
Risk Factors of Low Omega-3 Levels
The current low levels of Omega-3 are putting many individuals at risk for a variety of chronic disease; the most prevalent being heart disease. It’s going to take more than just a few salmon filets and eggs to fix the current suboptimal Omega-3 level; supplementation is necessary. Ultimate™ EFA Plus™ contains over 500mg of Omega-3s (ALA, EPA and DHA) with a little more than 100 mg of Omega-6 from healthy sources. While you are consuming healthy EFAs through supplements, you also want to make necessary dietary changes and keep your Omega-6 intake low. Consuming Omega-3 supplements, while continuing to eat unhealthy foods high in Omega-6, will do nothing to benefit your health. Be sure you’re making all the necessary changes to live a long and healthy life.
Remember, prevention is the key!
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