10/02/2011 15:06:05
SarahJ
Posts: 3
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Like most people I know that omega fats are good for you and your heart. But the other day someone mentioned that these need to balance otherwise it's bad for you. Does anyone know about this?
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11/02/2011 15:49:12
Guest
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You are right that both are good for you and there is a need to get the balance or ratio of them right. According to studies, it is suggested that that ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 is 1:1 or moving to more Omega 3 than 6. Unfortunately the modern day diet has moved us away from that optimal ratio to more like 10 times or more Omega 6 than Omega 3. This is mainly due to the increased use of vegetable oils which in general have a much higher concentration of Omega 6 than 3, and much processed foods use these oils as a basis to them.
Good sources are fish, particularly cold water oily fish such as sardines, mackerel, salmon and anchovies although be careful/aware of the risks of over consuming this type of fish from the heavy metals, particularly mercury. Flax is an excellent source, try using flax oil for cooking if you can get hold of it. Grass fed, as opposed to grain fed, chickens produce eggs with a higher concentration of Omega 3, and grass fed livestock (again not grain fed) produce meat with a better ratio. You could also look at supplements such as cod liver oil - although again make sure they are high quality and don't contain high levels of dioxins or other toxins.
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11/02/2011 20:27:57
gymnag_Rob
Moderator
Posts: 105
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I've also read that omega 3 and 6 compete with each other too, so too much omega 6 means the omega 6 will be being processed at the expense of the omega 3. A bit of a double whammy and another reason to avoid processed foods, as the number of omega 6's may need to be kept down to the right level as well as making sure there is the right intake of omega 3. Apparently having this inbalance can cause all kinds of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancers that are prevalent in western diets!
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13/02/2011 16:16:54
Guest
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Does anyone know where the mercury in oily fish comes from?
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13/02/2011 18:30:14
Guest
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Think it comes from heavy industry polluting the water?
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13/02/2011 18:42:41
gymnag_Rob
Moderator
Posts: 105
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From what i can gather it mainly comes from the burning of coal. This causes the release of several types of hazardous materials including heavy metals such as mercury into the air causing air pollution which then makes it's way into the water supply and the oceans.
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14/02/2011 17:10:45
SarahJ
Posts: 3
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Thanks for your replies. Interesting and I guess yet another reason to cut down on processed food.
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