Many of you have already heard about the importance of having a diet that has a healthy balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Yet, how many of you actually do?
Many health care professionals and researchers feel that the majority of people eating modern western diets are consuming far too many omega-6 fatty acids in comparison to omega-3’s. This imbalance is believed to be contributing to various factors that are leading to chronic diseases. Source Naturals ArcticPure Omega-3 fish oil can help balance the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids for better health.
Omega Fatty Acid Imbalances
Omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids must be obtained from our diet, as we cannot make them on our own. However, in modern diets these days, omega 6 fatty acids found in many oils, meats, and processed foods are more common than omega-3 fatty acids. Sources of omega-3’s are primarily found in plant, nut, and fish oils, such as salmon, tuna, anchovies, mackerel, and sardines. Unless you eat 3 - 4 ounces of cold water fish at least two times per week, you may not be getting enough omega-3’s in comparison to omega-6 fatty acids.
Symptoms of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency can include:1
- Fatigue
- Poor memory
- Dry skin
- Heart problems
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Poor circulation
According to the University of Maryland, “lack of omega-6 fatty acids, is extremely rare in diets of those living in certain Western countries, particularly the United States… In fact, North American…diets tend to have too much omega-6, particularly in relation to omega-3 fatty acids.”1
This imbalance contributes to long-term diseases, such as:1
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Asthma
- Arthritis
- Depression
Balancing Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids
It is beneficial to maintain an appropriate balance between omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, as these two substances work together to promote health. Most medical experts consider an optimal omega-6/omega-3 ratio to be 2:1 or even 1:1. Americans commonly range from the 10:1 to the 50:1 ratio. This unbalanced ratio has important consequences.
Omega-3s are an essential part of the structure of every cell in the body as an integral component of the cell membrane. This cell integrity enables each cell to accomplish its function.2
A Balanced Ratio of Essential Fatty Acids are critically essential in the following key areas:
- Supports brain cell function and development
- Provides cardiovascular support
- Supports eye and retina health
- Promotes healthy mental function
- Supports the immune system
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Benefits
The omega-3 fatty acids balance the omega-6 fatty acids in many functions, but they also have importance on their own. Additionally, there are two critical omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, that the body needs. EPA and DHA are the building blocks for hormones that control immune function, blood clotting, and cell growth.
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Blood pressure and cholesterol. According to a number of studies, omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can lower blood pressure. Fish oil can also cut triglyceride levels by 20% to 50%.
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Cardiovascular health. Omega-3 fatty acids appear to lower the overall risk of death from heart disease. Fish oil may reduce arrhythmias, and people who take omega-3 supplements after a heart attack cut their risk of having another heart attack. Eating fish once or twice a week seems to significantly lower the risk of stroke.
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Inflammation. Omega-3’s reduce inflammation throughout the body, including blood vessels and joints.
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Rheumatoid arthritis. A number of studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce stiffness and joint pain. Omega-3s also seem to boost the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Depression. Researchers have found that cultures that eat foods with high levels of omega-3s have lower levels of depression. Fish oil also seems to boost the effects of antidepressants. Fish oil may help reduce the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder.
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Prenatal health. Studies show that EPA and DHA supplementation during pregnancy boost the health of pregnant women and the development of their children. DHA appears to be important for visual and neurological development in infants.
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Osteoporosis. Studies suggest that foods or supplements with omega-3s can improve bone density.
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Asthma. Some evidence suggests that fish oil might improve lung function and reduce the amount of medication a person needs.
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ADHD. A few studies have found that fish oil can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in school-age children and improve their cognitive function.
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Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The evidence is preliminary, but some research suggests that omega-3s may help protect against Alzheimer's disease and dementia. However, more research needs to be done.
- Other conditions. Although the quality of the evidence varies, there's research showing that omega-3s might have a role in treating or reducing the risk of many other conditions. These conditions include painful periods, diabetic kidney damage, obesity, skin conditions, some cancers, Crohn's disease, and lupus.
Source: WebMD Medical Reference3
Purity and Quality
  Pure, concentrated fish oils are one of the most important additions modern people can make in their daily health programs. However, due to the growing concerns over heavy metal toxicity in fish these days, consuming lots of fresh fish is becoming questionable. Therefore, one can take a high quality fish oil supplement like Source Naturals ArcticPure Omega-3 fish oil, which is a great way to include omega-3 essential fatty acids to your diet without the added toxins.
Source Naturals ArcticPure Fish Oils are premier omega-3 oils with outstanding levels of purity and are among the highest potencies available today. They are an effective, powerful tool to support your health and vitality.
Does Source Naturals have to go to the ends of the earth for the best omega-3 fish oils? Yes, as a matter of fact they do. Their commitment to quality doesn’t stop at searching the world’s oceans for the cleanest, most abundant sources of the highest-quality fish. The quality of the omega-3 fish oils and their benefits to your body depend on the purity and freshness of the oil in all phases of its manufacturing and production.
Source Naturals bottling and encapsulation processes follow the highest standards, meeting and exceeding purity standards and pharmaceutical protocol of the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Their commitment to quality ensures that you have the finest, purest, most potent oils available.
References
1. University of Maryland Medical Center
2. Simopoulos AP, (2002). The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Biomed Pharmacother. 56:365-379.
3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fact Sheet / WebMD
By Marie Holt, BSc
Nutritional Consultant
Energetic Nutrition, Inc.
Copyright 2009
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