Omega Fatty Acids Inhibit Pain and Other Health Risks

Omega-3 fatty acids are called essential fatty acids, which mean that it cannot be synthesized by the body and must result from the diet. The best source for this fatty acid is found in fish especially sardines, salmon and herring. It may also be found in vegetarian sources such as flaxseed, flaxseed oil, canola oil, soybeans, soybean oil and walnuts.

Omega-6 fatty acids are also considered essential fatty acids, but most individuals are not deficient in these. Good food sources to obtain these fatty acids include cereals, whole grain breads, eggs, and poultry.

Omega-9 fatty acids are not considered essential fatty acids. These can be synthesized from unsaturated fat by the human body. Good food sources of these fatty acids include olive oil, rapeseed and mustard seed.

How do these fatty acids inhibit pain and reduce other health risks?

These fatty acids combined affect pain and other health risks by inhibiting prostaglandin which is an unsaturated fatty acid found in all mammals that perform a similar function to that of hormones in controlling smooth muscle contraction, blood pressure, inflammation, and body temperature. These prostaglandins play important roles in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease and chronic inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Which fatty acid is consumed most?

The typical American diet has excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids compared to the omega-3. This imbalance typically promotes the development of many other diseases including heart disease, cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. This is another typical example of how the American diet consumes way too many carbohydrates in their diet, which is leading to higher rates of obesity and other health disorders. So correcting this imbalance would also help in correcting many other disease processes.

How to obtain a better balance of the omega fatty acids?

The best method in obtaining a proper balance is obviously through diet. Incorporating more forms of the different fatty acids, especially the omega-3 will reduce many health risks. However, if this is not possible a supplement may be utilized in achieving this goal. But before starting any supplements it is advisable to speak to a health care provider to ascertain if there are any side effects or interactions with any other medications or disease processes.

Eat Healthy. Stay Healthy.

Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/search.aspx?q=omega+fatty+acids