Omega 3 (EPA and DHA) and Omega 6 fats are essential to the health of your entire body including your brain. The brain is made up of nearly 60% fat and requires it to function optimally. Fats are also necessary for:
- The make-up and absorption of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K
- The make-up of every cell membrane in the entire body
- The formation and function of every hormone
- Healthy liver function: building healthy cholesterol and bile
- Managing the body´s inflammatory process
The Standard American Diet is higher in Omega 6 fats, which are pro-inflammatory, and while we do need Omega 6 fats, the ratio should be 1:1 Omega 6 to Omega 3. The Standard American Diet provides a ratio of about 20:1!!!! This is a cause for concern because the skewed ratio can cause systemic inflammation and inflammation leads to disease.
Good quality animal food sources of Omega 3 fats are caviar, salmon roe, wild caught salmon, mackerel, herring, and trout. Since most of us do not eat wild caught fish several times per week, it is a good idea to take a high-quality Omega 3 supplement.
If you are vegetarian/vegan, and are consuming walnuts, flax, hemp, or chia seeds for your Omega 3s please be aware that plant-based Omega 3s have to be converted to EPA and DHA by our bodies but about 70% is lost in the process. Algae oil is a good alternative because it is a concentrated source of plant-based Omega 3s, therefore, more will be converted to EPA and DHA.
