Thursday, 10 December 2009

Omega 3 Fatty Acid As Functional Food

Too Much Omega 6

Omega 6 are the fatty acids that we get too much of. They are derived from processed foods like crackers, cakes, and cookies. When consumed in large amounts, omega 6 fatty acids promote inflammation which may then lead to chronic diseases. The healthy ratio between omega 6 and omega 3 is four to one. But it is very typical for a typical person to have up to 30 times more omega 6 than omega 3 in his diet.

It is very vital that there is a balance between omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids in the body. Omega 6 and omega 3 both use the same hormones to do different things. An imbalance between the two may cause the blood pressure to rise, heart problems, and inflammation.

Since our diet is already rich in omega 6, it is important to consume more of omega 3 food sources like fish, leafy greens, and fortified foods. All the studies about the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids may still not be conclusive, but getting more of them from our diet can only do us a lot of good.

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