Omega 6 Inflammatory Disease Information

Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been labeled by nutritionists as the culprit behind the rise in inflammatory diseases among Western society. However, studies are revealing that it is both the overabundance of omega-6 and the lack of omega-3 fatty acids, or the imbalance between these two fatty acids, that has brought about the rise in chronic disease.

Significance

• Inflammatory diseases, which include hundreds of ailments from acne to cancer, have become more prevalent in the United States despite--or possibly because of --our plentiful food supply. Americans' diets include foods that are rich in omega-6 fatty acids, including vegetable oils (also used in snacks, sweets and fast foods), nuts, seeds, corn and meat.

  Omega-6 is an essential fatty acid your body needs but is incapable of making. It is one of the good fats crucial to the development of brain function; skin, hair and bone health; regulating metabolism; and protecting the reproductive organs. When it comes to omega-6 fatty acids, however, the old saying "too much of a good thing" may be true.

Function

• Your body uses omega-6 fatty acids to produce hormones that promote blood clotting, cell production and inflammation. Yes, omega-6 hormones do increase inflammation, but it's a good thing when it allows your body's immune system to "practice" fighting off infection. Without these hormones, you could bleed to death, cease growing or have a weak immune system. Of course, too much of these hormones can cause stroke, cancer and other maladies.

Counter-Attack

• Your body needs a balancing act to counter the affects of omega-6 hormones. For optimal health benefits, omega-6 must be consumed in a balanced ratio with omega-3 fatty acids. Sources of omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, sardines, herring, tuna, scallops, shrimp, walnuts, winter squash and extra virgin olive oil. Hormones produced by omega-3 fatty acids work in opposition to the omega-6 hormones by decreasing the inflammations omega-6 causes. When the two fatty acids are consumed in tandem, your blood clots properly, cells proliferate normally, and inflammation is kept in check.

Balancing Act

• Experts don't agree on what the optimum balance should be, but all concur that Americans eat more foods packed with omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids--14 to 25 times more. This unbalanced ratio can negate any health benefits these fatty acids can provide.

  What is a healthy ratio? According to studies done at the University of Maryland Medical Center, a healthy diet should have two to four times more omega-6 than omega-3. Udo Erasmus, Ph.D., author of "Fats that Kill, Fats that Heal," believes we should consume twice as much omega-3 as omega-6. According to Dr. Erasmus, the reason inflammatory diseases are so prevalent in Western society is because of the decreased amounts of omega-3 fats.

Considerations

• Don't jump quickly to the assumption that too much omega-6 fatty acid is a death sentence. Coming to omega-6's rescue, in a January 2009 advisory based on more than 24 studies, the American Heart Association stated that higher levels of omega-6 are not the cause of inflammation specifically related to cardiovascular disease. In fact, the study revealed that lowering omega-6 levels could possibly increase the risk for heart disease.

Prevention/Solution

• Despite the differing opinions of too much or too little, most nutrition experts agree that the American diet is in dire need of more omega-3 fatty acids. Overall, the best medicine to counter omega-6 inflammatory diseases is to eat lots of fruits, fresh vegetables, high-fiber whole grains, olive oil, fish (at least twice a week), chicken and lean meats.