Are You Getting Enough Omega-3?
Omega-3 essential fatty acids are very important to your health. They are crucial for preventing heart disease, cancer, asthma, allergies, and many, many other diseases. Omega-3s protect your tissue and organs from inflammation and our brain is also highly dependent on them, low levels have been linked to depression, memory loss, and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s.
Most people don’t eat enough of this essential fat but they are overdoing another type of fat, omega-6. Omega-6 is found primarily in vegetable oils, in all processed foods and grains. Although it is also essential for your health, when eaten in large quantities, it causes problems.
The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats is 2:1. Today, though, our ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 averages from 20:1 to 50:1!!!
To get your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio closer to the ideal 2:1, cut back on all vegetable oils, on all processed foods and grains and get a regular supply of high-quality omega-3 fat.
What is the Best Source of Omega-3?
- Wild caught fish such as tuna - salmon – halibut
- Organic – grass-fed beef (NOT grain fed beef), lamb, bison
- Raw cheese, raw butter from grass-fed beef, lamb, goat
- Free range eggs (Yolks)
- Walnuts, flax seeds and chia seeds
Note that that you need to get most of your omega-3 from animal sources, not plant sources. If you eat flax, walnuts or chia, you need to combine them with animal-based omega-3 fats.
The best way to get the benefits of omega-3 is to consume it over many years. Don’t wait until a health problem shows up to start taking this recommendation seriously.