The brain is 60-70 fat and needs
a constant supply of good fats to stay healthy. What if a critical secret to
improving your health was to increase
your intake of FAT? The trend in the 1980s was to cut out ALL fat
from your diet. Fat consumption has been at the center of nutrition confusion
for decades. You’ve been told that all fats are bad, that they increase
your chances of heart disease, that they cause cancer and promote weight gain
and obesity. This is simply not
true. In fact, eating the right fats has been proven to reduce the
inflammation associated Alzheimer's, artery disease, normalize blood
cholesterol, reduce multiple forms of cancer, and actually combat obesity.
Although it may seem terribly counter intuitive, the intake of the right fats can actually be one of the best
health strategies you could ever adopt. Fats are commonly categorized as
either “good fats” or “bad fats.” They could be more accurately
designated as either “great fats” or “terrible fats”. All trans-fats and all
hydrogenated oils are considered “terrible fats” (coconut oil is an exception
when it comes to saturated fats). These fats have been shown to promote
the inflammation associated with brain and heart disease, as well as many types
of cancers.
“Great fats” like polyunsaturated
and monounsaturated fats are essential nutrients that reverse the damage
created by these “terrible fats,” as well as performing a critical role in
countless physiological functions. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are widely
considered to be one of the most vital nutrients in regards to healthy cell
function. They are instrumental in almost every organ and tissue,
including the heart, skin, eyes and brain.
Deficiencies in Omega-3’s have
been linked to breast, colon and prostate cancers, heart disease, high blood
pressure, high cholesterol and strokes, diabetes, arthritis, digestive
disorders, vision problems, dementia, hormonal and reproductive problems as
well as osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s and depression. Omega 3 deficiencies have
also been shown to be a causal factor in development and behavioral issues with
children – even ADD and ADHD. DHA Omega 3 is one of the most critical
elements in human breast milk.
Eating mid-sized, cold water,
wild fish is a best practice that will provide a great source of Omega
3’s. Avoid farm-raised fish, they have inferior fatty acid profiles
and impact the environment negatively. Also, eat grass-fed beef,
wild game and range-fed chickens and eggs. These are the foods that
your ancestors ate. Nuts, seeds, and avocados are also excellent sources of
healthy fats.
Unfortunately, Omega-3 FA
deficiency is extremely common. Our diets are terribly low in this vital
nutrient. To make matters worse, we over-consume Omega-6 Fatty Acids,
upsetting the delicate balance in the very important Omega-6 FA: Omega-3 FA
ratio. This imbalance creates silent inflammation in the body which leads
to a litany of chronic disease issues. A ratio higher than 3/1 Omega
6 FA : to Omega 3FA sets the stage for chronic illness. Many people with ADHD
and depression have been shown to have an elevated ratio as high as 40/1.
Our over-consumption of vegetable
oils, combined with our consumption of processed grains and cereal grains, both
of which are high in Omega 6 Fatty Acids contributes to this imbalance. A
diet high in grains (breads, pastas, baked goods and cereals) is
considered highly pro-inflammatory. In other words, grains promote inflammation
in your body and should be reduced. Unfortunately, the food
pyramid has promoted a diet-style that has lead to the greatest heart
disease, diabetes and obesity epidemic that the world has ever seen.
It is difficult to consume
sufficient amounts of Omega 3’s to re-balance and maintain a healthy fatty acid
ratio. Additionally, the oceans have been polluted so dramatically that
many fish are too toxic to safely consume. A vital behavior to
ensure fatty acid sufficiency is to supplement with a high quality fish oil
source. The oil should be pharmaceutical grade, pure, and in
natural EPA/DHA forms and ratios.
If the thought of consuming fish
oil every day causes you to wrinkle your nose, just think of the sweeping
health benefits you’ll receive. If that doesn't work, you can always go
back to eating the brains, organ meats, and bone marrow that your ancestors
enjoyed. Think about it?!
SMART learning lesson
ADD: Omega 3 rich foods and
supplements to your diet (wild cold water fish, seeds, nuts, avocados)
REDUCE. Omega 6 foods in your
diet ( hydrogenated oils, processed pasta, bread, cereals and baked goods)
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