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When we speak of essential fatty acids (EFA’s), we are identifying those that fall into either the Omega-3 or Omega-6 groups. These Omegas are actually critical (hence the word “essential”) for sustaining life. “Americans continue to be deficient in EFA intake in their daily diets,” said Dr. Andrew Wield.
They are those fatty acids considered essential to human physiology because the body cannot make them on its own. They fall into two classes: Omega-3 and Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Studies show that polyunsaturated fats are beneficial and they are the antithesis of saturated fats, which clog the bloodstream. The Omegas liquefy the bloodstream, decreasing the adhesion of platelets, while saturated fats are inert. The primary source for Omega-6 is plant source, including primrose oil, borage, vegetable oils, and other while Omega-3’s are mainly derived from fish. Omega-3’s are EPA and DHA.
The following is a partial list of diseases that may be prevented or annihilated with
Omega-3 fatty acids:
Coronary heart disease and stroke
Essential fatty acid deficiency in infancy (retinal and brain development)
Diabetes
Autoimmune disorders (e.g. Lupus and nephropathy)
Crohn disease
Mild hypertension
Cancers of the breast, colon and prostate
Rheumatoid arthritis
Omega-3 is Essential to the Human Body
A Purdue University study has showed that kids low in Omega-3 essential fatty acids are significantly more likely to be hyperactive, have learning disorders, and to display behavioral problems. Omega-3 deficiencies have also been tied to many conditions, including the following:
Dyslexia
Depression
Weight gain
Heart disease
Allergies
Arthritis
Violence
Memory problems
Cancer
Eczema
Inflammatory diseases
Diabetes
Over 2,000 scientific studies have demonstrated the wide range of problems associated with Omega-3 deficiencies. The American diet is almost devoid of Omega-3’s, except for certain types of fish.
In fact, researchers believe that about 60% of Americans are deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids, and about 20% have so little that test methods cannot even detect any in their blood.
The human brain is more than 60% structural fat, just as your muscles are made of protein and your bones are made of calcium. But it’s not just any fat that our brains are made of. It has to be certain types of fats, and we no longer eat these types of fats like we used to.
Worse, we eat man-made trans-fats and excessive amounts of saturated fats and vegetable oils high in Omega-6 fatty acids, all of which interfere with our body’s attempt to utilize the tiny amount of Omega-3 fats that it gets.
Other parts of our bodies also need Omega-3 fatty acids. Symptoms of fatty acid deficiency include a variety of skin problems such as eczema, thick patches of skin, and cracked heels.
The Heart’s Best Friend
An enormous amount of medical literature testifies to the fact that fish oils prevent and may help to ameliorate or reverse atherosclerosis, angina, heart attack, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Fish oils help maintain the elasticity of artery walls, prevent blood clotting, reduce blood pressure and stabilize heart rhythm.
Danish researchers have concluded that fish oil supplementation may help prevent arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in healthy men. An Italian study of 11,000 heart attack survivors found that patients supplementing with fish oils markedly reduced their risk of another heart attach, stroke or death.
A group of German researchers found that fish oil supplementation for 2 years caused regression of atherosclerotic deposits and American medical researchers report that men who consume fish once or more every week have a 50% lower risk of dying from a sudden cardiac event than do men who eat fish less than once a month.
Greek researchers report that fish oil supplementation reduces the number of attacks by 41% in men suffering from angina. Norwegian medical doctors have found that fish oil supplementation reduces the severity of a heart attack and Indian researchers report that supplementation started immediately after a heart attach reduces future complications.
Increase Your Overall Health
You want to increase your overall health and energy level. You want to prevent heart disease, cancer, depression and Alzheimer’s. Perhaps you also want to treat rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, Raynaud’s disease and a host of other diseases. One of the best things you can do for all of these is increase your intake of the Omega-3 fats found in fish oil, and reduce your intake of Omega-6 fats.
Where Can I Find Omega-3?
The best type of Omega-3 fats is found in fish. Sadly, though, eating most fresh fish, whether from the ocean, lakes and streams or farm-raised, is no longer recommended. Mercury levels in almost all fish have now hit dangerously high levels.
I recommend you supplement daily with Sportron’s Omegatone product. I have searched for years for a safe source of fish. Sportron uses fish oils derived from Northern Atlantic fish species, including salmon, cod, herring and mackerel. Another very important consideration is that the Omega-3 and -6 are in the right and most effective ratios. In my opinion, Sportron’s Omegatone is the ultimate essential fatty acid product available.
For more information on Omegatone, http://www.sportron.com/omegatone.html
To Order http://www.sportronusa.com/about/Store/gprodcategory.asp
Dr. Alan Tomlinson
B.A., N.D., D.O., D.Hom.
Dr. Tomlinson has provided technical expertise in all areas of product formulation and development for the past 30 years. He is considered an expert in the field of micro nutrient supplementation. He is a sought after speaker and has lectured to audiences around the world on the subject of health and lifestyle management.
The Tomlinson Health Report © 2004
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