John Arts Abundant Living johnarts.co.nz

The only real difference between actual deficiencies and sub-optimum levels is that deficiencies create disease fast, while sub-optimum levels (those less than what is needed), create disease more slowly.

Today we look at the ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fats, possibly the single most important dietary imbalance in Western diets. This imbalance contributes to many common disease processes including heart disease, arthritis, asthma and most inflammatory problems.

Most experts recommend a ratio of less than 5:1 of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fats in the diet. The estimate for the general population is over 10:1. I have just had mine tested and it is under 3:1. Why is this so important? Omega 3 and Omega 6 compete for the same enzymes in the body. If there is too much Omega 6, this will start a chain reaction including inflammation, restricted blood flow and greater risk of blood clots. Omega 3, on the other hand, lowers inflammation, helps blood flow and lowers the risk of blood clots.

We have been told to replace saturated fats like butter with supposedly ‘heart healthy” high Omega 6 polyunsaturated vegetable oils. High Omega 6 fats cause the immune system to generate inflammatory compounds called prostaglandins that both create disease or make most diseases worse.

Coronary artery disease is essentially an inflammatory disease. Much of the discomfort with osteoarthritis is joint tissue inflammation. There is a large inflammatory component in asthma and all these are influenced by our Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio. Usually the first part of any nutritional programme I create aims to address this common imbalance.

In short, we need to increase our intake of high Omega 3 oily fish including salmon, sardines and mackerel and to add high grade fish oil supplements. While plant-based Omega 3 sources such as flax seeds have many benefits, it is the marine Omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA we really need. It is these that control the inflammatory process. While there are many fish oil brands available it is important to understand that fish oil is easily becomes rancid.

The best brands add a little natural vitamin E to prevent rancidity. Depending on age, weight and health status, I normally recommend 2000-6000 mg of fish oils daily.

John Arts is the founder of Abundant Health. For product information
visit www.abundant.co.nz If you have questions or would like a free
health plan you can contact John at john@johnarts.co.nz or phone 07 578
9051 or 0800 423 559. You can join his newsletter at www.johnarts.co.nz
Read more from John at www.sunlive.co.nz