You Might Have Heard About The Nutritional Benefits Of Omega 3, 6 And 9.

By Tommie Locke


Wondering what on earth are all of these? Don't worry, this article will discuss all about Omega 3, 6 and 9 and help you understand them better.

There are four types of Fat that we get from our diets. These are Saturated fats, Mono saturated fats, Polyunsaturated fats and Trans-fats. Both Mono saturated and polyunsaturated fats are unsaturated fats that are good for health.

Omega 3 or the Essential fatty acids is the name given to a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are crucial for the healthy functioning of our body. These include Alpha-linolenic acids, Docosahexaenoic acids and Eicosapentaenoic acids.

Omega 6 fatty acids are also known as n-6 and w-6. These refer to a group of polyunsaturated fats that have more than one double bond. Omega 6 fats consist of Linolenic acids, Gamma-Linolenic acid, Dihomogamma Linolenic and Arachidonic acid. Omega 9 is a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are classified by their chemical structure. Omega 9 includes two fatty acids called Stearic acid and Oleic acid.

They are called essential because the body cannot manufacture them, unlike the other fatty acids, monounsaturated and saturated oils, which the body can synthesize from carbohydrates.

Omega 6 can be obtained from various oils such as safflower oil, sunflower oil, hemp oil, walnut oil, corn oil, wheatgerm oil and pumpkin oil. It is important to maintain a healthy ratio between Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

Omega 9 is not considered an essential fatty acid and does not require supplementation. However, a rich source of Omega 9 fatty acid is Olive oil which plays an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system.

But only in the last decade has the importance of Omega 3 become very apparent. However forgetting about the role that Omega 6 plays in our health is a big mistake.

Essential fats are a critical component in every single cell membrane that covers every single one of our 60 trillion cells.

Omega 3 fish oils helps in reducing joint inflammation and treating arthritis. EHA helps in treating depression, mental disorders and Alzheimer's disease. They also heal skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis. Both DHA & EPA help in preventing against breast, prostate and colon cancer.

To increase our intake of omega 3, we need to consume more fish oils extracted from cold-water fishes such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and Hoki. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, tofu and soybeans are also rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

Let us help you make the right choice between omega 3 and 6 oil. Omega 6 fats help in controlling inflammation, arthritis and autoimmune diseases. However the benefits of omega 6 fatty acids are limited and not very widespread.

The tiny components that reside inside our cells also need these essential fats to work properly, especially the mitochondria, which is the energy-generator of the cell.

Omega 9 fatty acids reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and maintain a healthy heart. Proper intake of omega 9 reduces the risk of breast cancer. They reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the body. Omega 9 fatty acids support and strengthen the immune system.

It is important to eat a diet that provides a balanced amount of Omega 3, 6, 9 fatty acids for enjoying a good health. The amount and ratio of each fatty acid should be optimum, to ensure you are not taking excess of one and very less of another fatty acid.

On top of that, 95% of people are seriously deficient in the Omega 3's, whereas they do still get Omega 6's, (even though most of them are damaged) so the ratio has to favour Omega 3. This ratio has been shown to be effective in most health conditions, where essential fats are deficient, or being taken in the wrong ratio.




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