Deerfield Spa
It is a well-known fact that the typical American diet is lacking in essential nutrients. Processed foods and dietary short cuts have caused an extreme imbalance in the fatty acids essential to good health. Those Essential Fatty Acids are the Omega 6 fatty acids and the Omega 3 fatty acids. Neither is produced in the body; both must be found in the food we ingest.
When in balance, the Omega 6 fatty acids promote and maintain good health. The Omega 6s are common because they are found in fried foods; foods processed with vegetable oils such as corn, soy and canola oils; and in salad dressings. While the Omega 6s are necessary, good health requires a balance between the Omega 6 and the Omega 3 fatty acids. The essential fatty acid proportions in the typical diet are up to 25:1 in favor of Omega 6 fatty acids. The healthy proportion is approximately 2:1. So the idea here is to increase our intake of the Omega 3 fatty acids while ingesting less of the Omega 6s. Omega 3s are found in seafood (oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines), whole grains and seeds such as flaxseeds.
A simple way to support your body is to increase your intake of Omega 3s. Try to eat fish at least once a week. Fish oils are a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Another great source of Omega 3s, and it’s vegetarian, is flax seed oil. Flaxseed oil has no fishy taste and contains both Omega 3s and Omega 6s. However, the ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 is 3:1 so it’s a great way to help your body return to the proper balance of these two essential fatty acids.
Also found in flax seed oil are lignans. Lignans are converted by intestinal bacteria into a type of phytoestrogenic compound that can bind to estrogen sites and also help eliminate estrogens from the body. Thus, lignans protect against estrogen related cancers by helping the body excrete estrogens, blocking the formation of some cancer causing substances and blocking the formation of hormone dependent tumors.
There is a great deal of ongoing research on the Omega 3s. Strong evidence indicates that the Omega 3s found in flaxseed oil help prevent and shrink cancerous breast tumors. Such evidence prompted my incorporating flax seed oil into my daily diet. Unexpected benefits soon became apparent: By my mid 30s I had lost most of the flexibility in my hips to the point that crossing one leg over the other was painfully impossible. My fingernails, which had always been long and healthy, could not grow beyond the nail bed without breaking. Flaxseed oil completely restored both my flexibility and my nail strength. Seeing such dramatic physical benefits makes me confident that there are invisible internal benefits brought about by the flax seed oil.
The recommended dosage is approximately 2 tablespoons of high-lignan flaxseed oil daily. Flaxseed oil can be used in salad dressings but cannot tolerate high temperatures so don’t cook with it. While many people like the taste of flaxseed oil, I don’t care for it. However, I found that if I follow the flax seed oil with a swallow of herbal tea, there’s not even an aftertaste. Capsules are also available. The benefits I personally experienced were such that I never miss a dose.
Omega 3s are being studied for their role in preventing and treating coronary heart disease, arthritis, eczema, ADHD, PMS, depression, cancer and treating immune and digestive functions. Remember, Omega 3 is a good fat; be sure you are getting enough in your diet.
