Balancing Fatty Acids

Omega-3, Omega-6, fatty acids, fish oil… what does all this mean?

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids need to have a balanced ratio in our body. Ideally, it is good to have a ratio of 4:1 or less of Omega-6 to Omega-3 acids, but recent studies show that 95% of foods consumed in the U.S. are processed, driving this ratio up to 20:1 or even 50:1 in some people.

The average American has 24 times too much inflammation and this is why NSAID's (Aspirin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.) are the #1 over the counter medications and the rate of chronic inflammatory diseases is at an all-time high.

Keeping a balanced ratio helps reduce inflammation, and inflammation can lead to a variety of conditions ranging from mild back pain to heart disease and cancer. Eat more green vegetables, grass-fed meats, cage-free farm fresh eggs, wild game, fresh fish, flaxseeds, chia and hemp seeds. Avoid processed foods that have high amounts of Omega-6’s including grain, flour, corn, seeds, seed oils, grain fed meat and eggs, and farmed fish.

In addition to healthy eating, supplementing your diet with high-quality fish oil is very beneficial, and using a quality supplement is important in order to avoid high levels of mercury.