Why Omega 3 Fatty Acids Are Important for Your Health

There are two broad classes of essential fatty acids, omega 3s and omega 6s. In general, omegas 3s are THOUGHT to be healthier than omega 6s. Both classes are essential fatty acids because the body cannot make them on its own. The naming if fats and oils is complicated and somewhat inconsistent.

OMEGA 3's: There are two basic omega 3 fatty acids, DHA and EFA. Most American diets are at least relatively deficient in these, especially when considered as a ratio of omega 3s to omega 6s. Another omega 3 is alpha-Linolenic Acid. Food sources of omega 3s include; flax, some fish, some eggs that are labeled as higher omega 3 content, and walnuts, among other sources. Please see the article from ''Wiki" on Omega 3s. Omega 3s may have many beneficial effects - cardioprotective (fairly well documented), neuroprotective and others.

They participate in the prostaglandin pathway (a complicated pro- and anti-inflammatory pathway) and in general have anti-inflammatory effects. It is considered that both the amount and ratio of omega 3 to 9 has decreased in the last centuries. And it is "considered" that the more omega 3 in general the better. However, there are some caveats, please see reference 4 below. Another concern is heavy metals in fish; a recent study (see Wiki article on omega 3s) showed that brands tested sold in the US were safe; paradoxically, fish do not manufacture omega 3 - they get it from algae. And Algae derived omega 3 is available commercially. If you prefer fish oil, distilled omega 3 from fish may be the safest. And flax is an excellent source also.

OMEGA 6s- These have steadily increased in our diet. They were the most intensively studied before the omega 3s. Diets without it have a variety of diseases ranging from dermatitis to eye disease to arthritis. However, the problem with the American diet is not a lack of omega 6s but a surfeit. Nearly every seed derived oil has an excess of omega 6 to omega 3; The omega 6s are heavily involved in pro-inflammatory prostaglandin synthesis and there is accumulating evidence that it may be involved in the genesis of prostate cancer. It does have documented beneficial effects - see reference 8; however, in general omega 6 deficiencies in our diet, except in exceptional circumstances, is not a concern. The bigger concern is getting the proper ratio of omega 3 to omega 6.