BALANCE Omega-3 Complex
Nutritional Information
Omega-3 is the general name given to the family of polyunsaturated
essential fatty acids (EFAs). Essential fatty acids can be grouped into
two categories, omega-6 EFAs and the omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 acids
promote inflammation, blood clotting, and tumor growth, while omega-3
acids, including Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid
(DPA) serve a very different, yet vital, function for the body.
Nutritionists
and medical professionals alike have come to recognize the importance
of balancing omega-3 fatty acids with omega-6 fatty acids in the human
diet. Key omega-3 fatty acids including EPA and DHA are found primarily
in oily cold-water fish such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel (higher
concentrations are found in pure fish oil). Aside from fresh seaweed, a
staple of many oriental cultures, plant foods rarely contain EPA or
DHA. And because most people on a typical Western diet consume far more
omega-6-rich foods (including cereals, whole-grain bread, baked goods,
fried foods, margarine, and others), the ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3
fatty acids is out of balance for just about everyone. What does this
mean? This means for most Americans the emphasis should to be on
increasing omega-3s to make the ratio more even and to put the body
back in balance. Theoretically, humans should be able to synthesize Omega-3 EPA and DHA
from dietary Omega-3 ALA (Alpha-linolenic Acid - found primarily in
dark green vegetables), but in practice this process is inefficient.
Many medical researchers have therefore concluded that omega-3 EPA and
DHA should be obtained by dietary supplement. High quality fish oil is
one of the rare sources that contain substantial concentrations of both
EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids can be
found naturally in fish, flaxseed, canola oil, nuts, and avocados. They
are also available in some fortified eggs and dairy products. |
