The Essential Missing Nutrients!

Medical reports tell us that heart disease, stroke, migraine, eczema, inflammatory joint problems, psoriasis, asthma allergies and depression are rising in number to near epidemic levels.

Why?

While conventional medicine seems to struggle for an explanation, nutritionists have noted the long decline in the quantity and quality of essential fatty acids in the diet. Knowing the roles of these healthy fats in blood clotting, the inflammatory process and immunity means some interesting ‘coincidences’ can be uncovered.Our bodies need around 3 to 4 times more Omega 6 fatty acids than Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 EFAs are found only in oily fish or linseeds in significant quantities. Unfortunately, the consumption of oily fish is 20% what it was 150 years ago and linseeds have never been regarded as a staple food of the nation. Often, those omega 6 EFAs left in the diet are in the form of margarines and vegetable cooking oils, whose potential is lost due to the manufacturing process, the clear bottles they are sold in or the heat we expose them to during cooking. Since the 1940s, margarines and cooking oils have multiplied our omega 6 intake by six. So the modern ratio is more like 120:1, not the 4:1 we need. This imbalance is believed to contribute to the increase in inflammatory and circulatory problems we see today.

Essential fatty acids are all polyunsaturated, so they are particularly vulnerable to damage from heat and oxygen, Consequently, food manufacturers remove them from processed foods in order to prevent spoilage.

The inbalance in EFA’s in todays modern diet manifest themselves in a wide variety of ways, blood clotting disorders are the most serious, but are increasingly common and form the basis of all cardiac events, such as stroke, thrombosis, irregular heartbeat and heart attack. Less serious symptoms can be considered an early warning system, including such things as migraine, eczema, psoriasis, asthma, immune problems, other inflammatory disorders and depression.

Omega 3 slows down the rate at which blood clots and dilates blood vessels whereas omega 6 increases aldosterone production thus speeding up sodium excretion, aiding circulation and blood pressure. Omega 3 also makes cell membranes and arteries far more flexible, since they are liquids at body temperature. Cholesterol, a rigid fat, is then taken out of the blood and incorporated into the cell membranes to counter the effects of the omega 3 and therefore helps lower serum cholesterol. 3 grams of fish oil or 6 grams of flaxseed oil and 2 grams of starflower or 4 grams of EPO would be ideal for these conditions.

Chronic inflammation can be caused by Omega 3 and Omega 6 imbalance due to the excessive production of arachidonic acid (omega 6) which makes PGE2 (pro-inflammatory and platelet aggregating) and the powerfully inflammatory leukotrienes. Omega 3 EFA’s prevent the release of leukotrienes, the same mechanism as
COX-2 medications, without the unwanted side-effects. These chronic inflammatory conditions respond well to between 6 and 10 grams of fish oil supplements per day.
For nerve and brain function omega 3 both opens the ‘gateways’ of neural communication and provides the medium through which messages pass, whereas omega 6 allows memory to develop. Omegas 3, 6 and 9 form the myelin sheath (nerve coating). The benefits of EFA supplementation for childhood intelligence have been well documented in recent times. Post Natal Depression and SAD have also been aided by omega 3 supplementation.