« Chocolate…Can It Reduce Death by 66%? | Home | Omega 3′s & Degenerative Heart, Brain & Eye Diseases »
Omega 3′s & 6′s…Stop Cardiovascular, Eye & Brain Diseases
By admin | January 28, 2010
The omega 3’s are essential fatty acids that your body cannot produce by itself. There are 9 recognized forms but these three are the most significant and important to health:
• ALA…Alpha linolenic acid
• EPA…Eicosapentaenoic acid
• DHA…Docosahexaenoic acid
The EPA and DHA are best provided by fish oil. They are among the best cardiovascular supplements. The fish eat microalgae that contain EPA and DHA and the organs and flesh of the fish accumulate high levels of these omega 3’s.
ALA is more plant based (flax & hemp oil) and it can be converted by your body to DHA but the DHA is less efficient than directly from fish. It is interesting that a study done in 1970 on the Inuit natives of Greenland found, in spite of a high fat diet, cardiovascular disease was almost non-existent.
Further research with the Alaska Eskimos also confirms the protective power from cardiovascular disease with their high consumption of fish oils…as much as 6000 times the level of omega 3’s as non fish, non sea food consumers. Those on this native diet simply do not have cardiovascular disease.
Why are omega 3’s so healthy? Here is a list of the more dramatic benefits:
• Reduced triglycerides (large chain fatty acids that are a risk factor in cardiovascular disease)
• Balance of excess omega 6’s… extinguishing their inflammatory effect
• Help in preventing blood clots and artery plaque, reducing atherosclerosis and platelet clumping
• Reduction of C-Reactive protein and Interleukin 6…markers for inflammation in the blood (red flag dangers for heart attack & stroke)
• Reduced macular degeneration and better eye health
• Reduced cognitive decline and brain diseases
• Reduced inflammation and pain due to thromboxanes, leukotrienes and postglandins. Research in 1963 found these eicosanaids were pro-inflammatory and were produced when excess omega 6’s accumulated.
The triglycerides are long chain fatty acids generally produced by consumption of fats and are well known risk factors in cardiovascular disease.
The ideal ration of omega 3’s to omega 6’s is 1 omega 3 to 3 or 4 omega 6′s. The omega 6’s are also essential fatty acids but are generally at excessive levels in most diets. Unfortunately the ratio in America is usually 1 to 20 up to 45.
When high levels of omega 6’s are present inflammation occurs. Increases of cardiovascular disease, auto immune disease, macular degeneration, cognitive decline and general aches and pains result.
Virtually all degenerative disease is accompanied by chronic inflammation. Excess omega 6’s produce many pro-inflammatory substances if they are not neutralized early on. These include thromboxanes (increase clots & hypertension), postacyclins, leukotrienes and various pain producing postglandins.
Not surprisingly, high levels of inflammation produced by the excess omega 6’s relative to omega 3′s, are associated with increased heart attack, stroke, arthritis, brain disease (Alzheimer’s), cognitive decline, and macular degeneration…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.
Topics: Alternative, Health, Heart Disease, alternative health | No Comments »