Fish Oil
The research in support of dietary omega-3 fatty acids (such as in fish oils) continues to flood the scientific literature. This is perfectly predictable given our genetic roots. In the wild, eating natural raw foods, we would be consuming large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids daily. But today, on processed, grain-based diets, we get little. Instead, we have dramatically increased the consumption of omega-6 fatty acids. Although these too are essential in the diet, their excess results in a pro-inflammatory response that lies at the base of a mix of modern degenerative diseases such as arthritis, autoimmunities and heart disease. The natural diet should have a ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 of about 1:1, but today is more like 20 or 30 to 1! See a problem? Certain fish, algae, some vegetables, grass-fed meats, wild meats, high omega-3 eggs, seeds such as flax and supplements help. Variety is always important. Any food may contain toxins, so varying the diet gives the body an opportunity to detoxify. For example, fish can contain the toxins methyl mercury and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), both by-products of our industrial age that gravitate into water. These are lipophilic (fat loving) and thus are present in fish oils and then tend to accumulate in our fat depots when consumed. This is a consideration for dieters since the lipophilic toxins in fat stores that are being rapidly melted away can flood the body, potentially creating a toxic shock. (Not an excuse to not lose weight here, just a caution on radical weight loss or repeated yo-yo dieting.) This is also of particular concern for pregnant and nursing moms since these toxins can transfer to and accumulate in the fetus, increasing the risk of abnormalities, disease and weakness. Increasing the amount of omega-3s is not easy and requires a purposeful shift in dietary habits. Official dietary agencies are recommending about 0.65g/day of omega-3s (EPA, DHA) for pregnant and lactating women, and about 1g for people with cardiovascular risk. (These are conservative. In the wild we would naturally consume much more.) To obtain the 1g/day level, 210g of canned light tuna in oil would need to be consumed or about 50g of farmed Atlantic Salmon. Fish type is important, with the cold-water species having the highest concentrations of omega-3s. Other fish such as tilefish, swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tuna steaks increase the risk of mercury exposure. One can estimate that PCB intake parallels fish consumption. Omega-3 dietary supplements vary widely in omega-3 content, ranging from 50% to 150% of label claims. Supplements can as well contain mercury and PCBs. Omega-3s are very fragile and can easily convert to toxins themselves when exposed to heat, light, air and water so supplements should be chosen carefully and stored properly. My feeling is the risk from the toxins is less than the risk of not increasing omega-3s in the diet. For example, the concentration of PCBs in supplements ranges from 2% to 43% of recommended safe levels. If fish are eaten as the main source of omega-3s, variety is what will decrease the risk. The wise course is to follow the Optimal Health Program?, which will help you return to your dietary roots, including, wild-type foods, raw and fresh as much as possible and appropriately designed supplements. Shop for high omega-3 food options and keep your intake of antioxidants high to protect these fragile oils when they are consumed. Supplements should be chosen carefully, be oxidant protected, properly packaged in light- and oxygen-barrier packaging, and kept frozen until consumed. In the end, omega-3s are not a new scientific discovery. They are just part of the diet we are genetically programmed to eat. If we had not veered from that design in our eating habits, the omega-3 "discovery" would be meaningless. This is yet another lesson that paying attention to our natural design provides the best hope for prevention and optimal health. Dr. Wysong is a former veterinary clinician and surgeon, college instructor in human anatomy, physiology and the origin of life, inventor of numerous medical, surgical, nutritional, athletic and fitness products and devices, research director for the present company by his name and founder of the philanthropic Wysong Institute. He is author of The Creation-Evolution Controversy now in its eleventh printing, a new two volume set on philosophy for living entitled Thinking Matters: 1-Living Life... As If Thinking Matters; 2-The Big Questions...As If Thinking Matters, several books on nutrition, prevention and health for people and animals and over 15 years of monthly health newsletters. He may be contacted at Wysong@Wysong.net and a free subscription to his e-Health Letter is available at http://www.wysong.net
Related News
Kids' cereals fail nutrition test - TVNZ
Kids' cereals fail nutrition testTVNZ, New Zealand -18 hours ago"Some of them are very high in sodium, salt, very high in sugar and really have pretty much no nutritional value at all," says Sue Chetwin from Consumer New ... |
Fitness and Nutrition Experts Don't Live Longer Than Anyone Else ... - Unconfirmed Sources (satire)
Parents urged to limit kids’ screen time, fast food intake - Gulf Times
Nutritional Program - Hartford Courant
Nutritional ProgramHartford Courant, United States -16 hours ago•Kendall Reyes' nutrition is designed and monitored by Nancy R. Rodriguez, a professor of nutritional sciences and the director of the UConn sports ... |
Diet and Nutrition Expert Joins BizyMoms Expert Corner - PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung)
Kids' Cereals Packing Some Nutrition Punch - CBS News
Kids' Cereals Packing Some Nutrition PunchCBS News, NY -Oct 11, 2008Have you consumed myths about diet and nutrition? Take these quizzes to find out. (CBS) You probably struggle to find your kids just the right cereal for ... |
Recognise the power of good nutrition - Indian Express
Recognise the power of good nutritionIndian Express, India -Oct 10, 2008If I were to search for a flipside in my otherwise highly fulfilling vocation as a nutritional consultant it would have to be the persistent — and at times ... |
DOH Sponsors A Statewide Physical Activity And Nutrition Forum, Hawaii - Medical News Today (press release)
Senior nutrition menu - Rome Sentinel
Senior nutrition menuRome Sentinel, NY -Oct 11, 2008The nutrition program for persons age 60 and over is funded by the county Office for the Aging, state and federal grants, and contributions from ... |
A "Superfood" to Stand in the Nutrition Gap - PR.com (press release)
A "Superfood" to Stand in the Nutrition GapPR.com (press release), NY -16 hours agoBusy schedules call for more direct forms of nutrition, and the answer now comes in a liquid form. “Superfoods” are making their way into the American diet, ... |
|
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
A Healthy Diet Means Avoiding Trans-Fat as well as Saturated Fat
We all need fat in our diet on a daily basis. However, not all fats are created equal ? there are healthy fats and unhealthy fats. Many people know that monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are the healthier variety, and that saturated fats should be avoided. But did you also know about trans-fats? Read on to learn more about this unhealthy fat:
Omega 3, Close to A Medical Miracle of our Century
OmegaRx Fish Oil, quoted as being close to a Medical Miracle in our Century! Omega 3, The Good Fat, Is on your side, they contribute to your good health. They are also a big part of Dr Barry Sears Zone Diet.
Cherries - The Next Wonder Fruit
Cherries?A Supercharged Fruit
What Would You Do For a Klondike Bar?
Unfortunately, the words "diet" and "cheating" go hand in hand. When you say, "I'm on a DIET", it usually means you are depriving yourself of something. Diets do not work; they are restrictive and can become exceedingly frustrating, leading you to "cheat". The more you restrict calories and the tempting treats you love, the more likely you are to binge eat. This is counterproductive in a fat loss program and will prevent you from becoming lean.
Is Eating a Raw Food Diet Actually Healthy for You?
Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you eat has to provide your body with the nourishment to properly balance your body's chemistry. If you have health challenges, are overweight or obese, chances are you are not in balance at all. The typical North American diet is woefully out of balance. Even what are commonly considered as healthy diets, such as low fat, vegetarien and vegan diets can be improperly balanced.
Changing Your Eating Habits
Because all of us have been brought up eating junk food, well most of us, it is not easy to change our eating habits. Your eating habits have developed since childhood based on what your mothers or fathers cooked and what your psychological make-up was during that time.
An Apple a Day, Does Keep the Doctor Away
Increasing the fiber in your diet has been shown to: reduce your
cholesterol, reduce your hunger, lower your fat absorption, reduce surges in insulin levels, help with weight loss, lower the risk of colon cancer, and lower your risk of heart disease. WOW! Sounds like a miracle cure - where can I get this stuff? The answer: At your grocery store.
Are Your Cells Talking To Each Other?
Are Your Cells Talking To Each Other?
Reverse Disease and Maintain Optimal Health
PROTEIN DEFICIENT? CHANCES ARE YOU ARE!
Health and Nutrition
The Health and Nutrition Industry has come about as peoples awareness of the damage they have done to their bodies over the years becomes more apparent, both physically and through scientific evidence. Whats more they want to do something about-now!!
Whats That In My Food!
If you drop a bomb, you kill not only your enemies but your friends as well. This is the effect food additives have on humans.
Fluoride in Drinking Water
Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water that has Fluoride added? Well, the jury seems to be out, and they have been out for a very long time, without producing a satisfactory answer as to whether it is beneficial or harmful.
Nutrition as Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD Alternative Treatment: Help is as Close as the Kitchen
The quality of food we eat (or lack thereof) has a profound affect on Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD. For many people, nutrition alone can effectively work as an ADHD alternative treatment.
Just The Tea FAQs: Health Benefits (Part III)
The wonders of modern science continue to amaze us with new cures and essential information on healthy living: what to eat, what to drink, what do to; and, of course, what not to eat, drink, and do. All of this is quite wonderful.
Put a Zing in your Step with Ginger!
Zingiber officinale has been held in the highest regard by the Indian and Chinese civilizations for as far back as 5000 years.
Functional Foods: What They Are And How They Work
In the brain, a typical protein can live for approximately ten days. The thoughts, feelings and memories of a human being are made up of what was in the stomach only a few days before. As you can see, in choosing one's diet, you actually can determine who and what you are going to become.
Artificial Sweeteners - Are They Safe?
To research the health risks Sweet 'N Low and other artificial sweeteners I examined both sides of the story. There seems to be no neutral position on any of these sweeteners.
Poor Dental Hygiene May Account for Poor Health
Bright white teeth and fresh breath does not necessarily mean you have a healthy mouth! General health is directly related to gum health. Gum disease has been linked to several medical conditions such as stroke, diabetes, heart attack and worsening lung disease. Healthy gums can reduce a person's biological age by up to 6.4 years. Why? Because studies show that the presence of periodontal diseases, most common in people with tooth loss, actually affects longevity. The best of these studies, done at Emory University in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control, indicates that people with gingivitis and periodontal disease have a mortality rate that is 23% to 46% higher than those who don't. Keeping your gums clean and healthy may help reduce the risk of many illnesses, including heart disease.
Gum Disease
Gum disease or periodontal disease, a chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and surrounding tissue, is the major cause of about 70 percent of adult tooth loss, affecting three out of four persons at some point in their life. Red swollen and bleeding gums characterize gum disease in the initial stages and progresses to infections, chronic inflammation and bone loss in later stages. Eventually bacteria are allowed to flow freely through your gums and into your blood stream that activates and stresses the immune system.
Heart Attack
Research shows that people with gum disease are 25% more likely to have a heart attack. Bacteria originating from the gums to the veins and arteries cause plaque build up and arterial inflammation that can provoke jeopardous clotting. A 12-year study conducted by Harvard University researchers and 41,000 healthy men free of cardiovascular disease showed that those with periodontal disease had more clot related strokes.
Diabetes
Periodontal disease severely affects the control of blood sugars. The spread of bacteria through out the body through the blood stream stresses and confuses the body when trying to adjust sugars to the invasion. Antibiotic treatment has help diabetics control blood sugars while treating the infections caused by gum disease.
Lung Infections
Breathing in oral bacteria caused by gum disease can cause lung infections. Bacteria that grow in the oral cavities can be breathed into the lungs to cause respiratory disease such as pneumonia.
Olive Oil, the Healthy Choice
Olive oil is a healthy choice over other fats such as butter, palm and coconut oils because olive oil is a monounsaturated fat that does not increase levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
Beginning an Alkaline Diet: The Basic Principles - Start Alkalizing Today!
Each and every person living in the UK is facing a myriad of health and lifestyle challenges every day.
|
