Do you have the correct ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3?
Most people have way too much Omega 6 and not enough Omega 3 which can be detrimental to one’s health.
The major cause of the imbalance between the 2 polyunsaturated fatty acids was the swing from butter to margarine and a decline in the consumption of fish.
According to a recent publication dated 27/09/2006 in the Athlone Advertiser in Ireland:
To embark on the process of changing around the oils, adults (in line with research) should take 2.4g daily of fish oil extract containing EPA and DHA. If there is an existing health problem, take twice that amount for a few weeks at the start.
It is important to understand that to do this effectively you need the highest concentration of fish oils avalable. Cod liver oil is only seven per cent EPA/DHA; take in 32g oil (288 calories, in about three dessert spoonfuls) to get this amount. Various fish oil products offer concentrations ranging from 14 to 30 per cent EPA/DHA. The rest of the fish oil is mainly saturated fat, which many people may wish to limit.
For best results ensure that your product provides 60 per cent EPA/DHA, so that you obtain the beneficial oils with the minimum of extra fat. Most people find it easiest to take their fish oils in capsules. A good example of a 60 per cent product is Bio-Oils from the Tony Quinn Health Centres. With these you need take in four capsules daily, which is 4g oil providing only 36 extra calories. So concentration counts.
Whilst this is an excellent article, it is paramount that all highly concentrated fish oil, also referred to as pharmaceutical grade fish oil, be third party independently tested (after encapsulation) to ensure the purity and potency of the product. The laboratory with the most sophisticated equipment in the world can be found at International Fish Oil Standards under Consumer Reports.
Also the consumer should be aware that there are two types of highly concentrated fish oil – triglyceride (natural) and ethyl esther (synthetic).
AMB Well Omega-3 PGFO is a highly concentrated triglyceride base fish oil that uses only the finest quality raw materials of fish oils from small ocean fish such as anchovies, mackerel and sardines. The oil is then put through an exclusive 6-step manufacturing process for extracting the Omega-3s from the fish oil and refining them. In numerous studies, the absorption of Omega-3 fatty acids in their natural triglyceride form are superior to the synthetic ethyl ester form that is common in other concentrated Omega-3 products.
Bottom Line: You only need to supplement with 3 capsules of a highly concentrated triglyceride fish oil versus 4 capsules of a highly concentrated ethyl esther fish oil.
Source: Athlone Advertiser in Ireland
Tags: Omega-3 Omega-6