Include Omega 3 EFA in your Healthy Eating Guidelines
Eat the Right Combination of Polyunsaturated Fats: Combat inflammation with omega 3 (n-3) fatty acids and reduce the risk of degenerative health problems by maintaining a healthier polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) balance.
Paleolithic man ate more greens and fewer grains (Artemis Simopoulos paraphrased, The Omega Diet)
We have almost the same genetic makeup as Paleolithic man but our diet is very different.Whereas Paleolithic man ate foods mainly from the fruit and vegetable group and the fish and meat group, the modern western diet has become heavily dependent on cereals (since the Agricultural Revolution) and dairy products (since the domestication of animals).
This has resulted in a significant reduction in n-3 intake and a correspondingly large increase in n-6 intake, changing the ratio by a factor of 10 to 20 or more.
Why does the change in our Omega 3 to Omega 6 balance matter?
While fatalities from infectious diseases have fallen sharply during the last century and longevity has increased, we have seen an equally dramatic rise in the incidence of degenerative diseases.These life-threatening conditions are attributed to inflammation, which extensive research has shown to be promoted by a deficiency of n-3 PUFAs and an excess of n-6 PUFAs.
Cut through the confusion
Many bold health claims have been made for n-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs). Are these assertions justified? Find the answers to the following questions:What exactly are n-3 EFAs?
The nature of n-3 EFAThe role of n-3 EFAs
Biochemistry of n-3 EFAs
n-3 EFA research
What health benefits can n-3 EFAs provide?
AgingHealth Problems
Health Solutions
Which foods are the best sources of n-3 EFAs?
Non-vegetarian foodsVegetarian foods
Unhelpful foods
What affects the n-3 content and overall nutritional quality of our food?
Food productionFood processing
Food preparation
In-depth food studies
Get a detailed insight into foods that can improve your PUFA balance. Read the introduction to each project now and visit the full article after the project's publication date.| Project | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| Omega 3 Supplements and Oils - how effective are they? | 30th September 2010 |
| Chia and other Seeds - main sources for vegetarians | 31st October 2010 |
| Grass-fed Meat - better for us and for the animals | 30th September 2012 |
| Wild Alaskan Salmon - sound ecological management | 31st December 2012 |