Essential Fatty Acids: Omega-3 and -6
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| by nova |
There has been concern expressed in the news lately by a US consultant to the World Health Organization regarding the lack of sufficient omega-3 fatty acids in the western diet. Stuart Tomc* claims that ”the average American eats 10 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3, and as a consequence, the United States has the highest rate of obesity in the world”. According to Tomc, a simple at-home blood test would allow people to monitor their own levels of fatty acids so that they could then adjust their diets accordingly.
Omega-3 and omega-6 are essential fatty acids that help prevent the risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity. The human body does not produce them naturally, so they must be obtained from our diet. But in what form and amounts do we need them? Nutritionists disagree on what the exact ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 is to meet our daily requirements. Different experts from different parts of the world seem to have conflicting opinions. This may very well be because the ratio our body needs is dependent on the climate and immediate environment we live in, and, therefore, will differ according to whether we are Eskimos in the Arctic North, or West Indians in the tropics.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, we need to follow the rhythms of nature to stay balanced and healthy. This means consuming foods that are grown seasonally within a radius of about 400 miles from where we live. For people in the cold, northern regions of the world, the most obvious source of their essential fatty acids would be cold water fish which make up the main part of their diet. Fish oils have more potential to hold light, which becomes very important when living in a dark climate. In areas a little further south, however, such as in Canada and the northern parts of America, a great deal of flax is grown. Flax oil has a high percentage of omega-3. If flax is grown in hotter and lighter parts of the world, such as Brazil, it will grow more quickly and its properties will change. It will no longer contain omega-3, as nature will only grow what is required to balance the environment it is grown in. Further south, in areas of more warmth and light, sunflower, pumpkin and hemp oil are found. These seeds produce more omega-6. In a Mediterranean climate of maximum light, olive trees are abundant, and olive oil is used. This contains more omega-9, which is beneficial for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke. At the equator there is such a high level of sunlight that the fats found here are saturated, as in coconut.
The key, therefore, in deciding which ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 is healthy for you will depend on the conditions and climate you live in. Just as weather conditions determine which grade of motor oil we use to make our car run more efficiently, so the climate we live in plays a part in the oils we need to keep our body healthy and in balance.
*For more information on Stuart Tomc’s article click here