Article by Laurel Cohen
Let’s face it. When it comes to food sources omega 3 fats seem to be practically absent from the popular modern-day diet. The foods that we eat might contain some of them, but they contain far more omega-6s. Research indicates that the imbalance of omega-6s to omega-3s in our diets is the cause of many of our health problems.
Some researchers call them modern diseases. In the past, people were likely to die from infection or injury. Today, most infections can be cured. So, people live longer.
For many years, some of those modern diseases were also referred to as age-related. Now, it seems that many of the so-called age-related diseases are preventable.
The diseases that researchers are primarily concerned with include heart disease and cancer, although osteoporosis, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and age-related macular degeneration are often studied, too. Type II or adult-onset diabetes is the subject of a great many studies, too. The complications include nerve damage, heart disease and blindness.
Obesity is a risk factor for most of the age-related diseases. Being obese is no fun and it will almost certainly reduce your lifespan. For one thing, obesity causes increased inflammation throughout your body and inflammation is one of the causes of cellular aging.
When looking at food sources omega 3 fats are one of the things that researchers analyze, because they can help to reduce inflammation. Omega-6s are converted into inflammatory hormones. Omega-3s compete for conversion and the hormones produced from them are far less inflammatory.
Recent studies have shown that omega-3s stimulate the production of anti-inflammatory compounds. Others have found that certain kinds of omega3-rich fish oil have as much anti-inflammatory activity as aspirin, which explains why fish oils have been used historically to soothe aching joints.
When it comes to food sources omega 3 fats are found mostly in some types of seafood and fatty fish. Plant foods contain a kind of omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid. The health benefits associated with increased omega-3 consumption have not been seen with alpha-linolenic acid. If you do use vegetable oil for cooking, the best kind to use is canola oil, because the ratio of 3s to 6s is better.
Walnuts, olives, pecans and flaxseeds are good sources of alpha-linolenic acid, but there are no vegan sources of Docosahexaenoic acid or Eicosapentaenoic acid. DHA and EPA, as they are commonly known, are the omega-3s that seem to be of most importance to human health. When we want food sources omega 3 fats, DHA and EPA, seafood and fatty fish are our only choices.
It is because of this that fish oil is one of the most popular dietary supplements on the market. But, not all brands are equivalent. Before you buy, check out the manufacturer’s website. Find out what kind of standards they have for purity and potency. Don’t be fooled by ad campaigns, ask for facts. They should be able to provide a certificate of analysis from an independent laboratory.
Now, you know a little more about food sources omega 3 fats and inflammation. But, there is always more to learn.
About the Author
Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily.
Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.
