(22-11-10) Prevent and Treat Heart Disease by Optimizing Omega-3 Fats

by John Phillip, citizen journalist


(NaturalNews) Humans have evolved to consume Omega-3 fatty acids and rely on
this essential fat for the construction of cell wall membranes and to ensure
cardiac health. Our ancient ancestors ate a diet high in fish, nuts and seeds
to yield an abundance of Omega-3 fats in blood circulation. The long chain fat
has been shown to lower levels of inflammation, reduce triglycerides and
prevent deadly clots. Our modern diet is heavily weighted toward Omega-6 fats
from vegetable oils that induce inflammation and promote heart disease.
Balancing your diet with the proper Omega fat ratio and supplementing as
necessary will provide protection and dramatically lower the risk of sudden
death from a heart attack.

Lowering Risk of Death With Omega-3 Balance
Information reported in the journal PLoS Medicine lists lack of proper Omega-3
fat in the diet as one of the ten leading preventable causes of death. The
journal estimates that nearly 100,000 die each year due to Omega-3 fat
deficiency while many more suffer debilitating heart attacks, strokes and
cognitive damage as a result. Another study published in the Nutrition Journal
provides evidence that men with the highest levels of the Omega-3 fat, DHA ran
a 34% lower risk of developing heart disease. Older adults with the highest
total Omega-3 concentrations ran a 70% lower risk of a fatal heart attack.

Processed Food Diet Leads to Skewed Omega Fat Balance
The ideal ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fats is ideally 1:1. Evolutionary
scientists believe that this level provides effective blood saturation as it
lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke and neurological damage that result
from sub-optimal balance. Our modern diet includes excessive quantities of
Omega-6 fat primarily from vegetable oils that have been used for frying.
Processed foods such as chips and baked products frequently make use of
hydrogenated oils to preserve taste and texture and skew the ratio of Omega
fats.

A diet consisting of excess amounts of meat, refined foods and meals away from
home result in typical Omega fat ratios between 20:1 and as high as 50:1. These
levels create a cascade of dangerous metabolic alterations and lead to chronic
inflammation and changes in the delicate endothelial lining of the coronary
arteries. After years of dietary abuse, our vascular system begins to
deteriorate setting the stage for atherosclerosis, blood clots and death.

Establishing the Proper Omega-3 Fat Ratio
Aside from fatty fish, very few foods provide a source of the two key Omega-3
fats. EPA and DHA are the pre-formed fats preferred by our body. Omega-3 fats
can be found in walnuts and seeds such as flax and chia but must be converted
by the body to EPA and DHA to be available for use. Due to excess body weight
and metabolic dysfunction, many people are unable to complete this conversion
and must either supplement or consume fish to achieve a healthy dose of EPA and
DHA fats.

For some people eating fish is not an option due to mercury contamination of
many species. Supplementation is a viable option that has been effective in
raising Omega-3 blood concentrations. Research confirms that people taking
between 2,000 and 4,000 mg of combined EPA and DHA daily have been able to
achieve healthy ratios and experience significant reduction in all
cardiovascular risk factors.

Humans have evolved on a diet rich in Omega-3 fats that have been critical to
health and cognitive development. Lowering consumption of Omega-6 vegetable
oils and supplementing with Omega-3 fish oil will provide documented heart
health benefits.

Article References:
http://www.plosmedicine.org/article...
http://www.nutritionj.com/content/8...
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com...

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