Thursday, September 6, 2007
Your Health Interest: Omega 3’s
With the introduction of diets like the Prudent Diet to the blockbuster Pritikin Diet and Susan Powter’s crusade against fat, the 1960s through the 1990s waged an all-out war on fat in the diet. Of course, there were questions:
Why did Mediterranean peoples look so much slimmer and have much lower rates of heart disease and cancer, despite high amounts of fat from fish and olive oil in their diets?
If fat was bad, why had humans relied on fat from nuts, meat, dairy and fish for millennia?
How about that “French paradox”?
The U.S. government was quick to support corn and grain producers and recommend a low-fat diet high in cereals, pasta and bread. During the 80s and 90s, “light” varieties of just about every previously fattening food became available. Fat was derided and to be avoided at all costs. Many folks still avoid fat scrupulously. We’ve been told all fat is bad – but is that true?
Did You Know?
Not only is fat not bad for you (it is glucose – sugar – not fat that stores as excess fat cells), it is necessary to good health. Without fat, our bodies cannot regulate hormones effectively. Without fat, our bodies cannot absorb many vitamins and nutrients. Without fat, our bodies develop infections, poor skin and hair, and our vision suffers. We need fat. Fat is actually a wonderful, dense source of nutrition. The key is to consume “good” fats.
The Science Says:
“Good” fats are long-chain fats such as Omega-3 fats. These fats are found in certain foods, such as olive oil (in small amounts), fish, nuts, avocadoes and grass-fed organic meats. You can even purchase eggs that are now DHA-enhanced. There are three types of Omega 3 fat: DHA, or docosahexanoic acid, EPA, or eicosapentanoic acid, and ALA, or alpha linoleic acid.
What You Can Do:
Of course, you should eat foods containing beneficial fats. The best and most efficient fat is DHA, which is found in fish. Unfortunately, with our major fisheries and ocean waters being so heavily contaminated with pollutants like mercury, it’s not safe to consume fish on a daily basis. That’s why supplementing with a highly-filtered, prescription-grade Omega-3 oil is such a convenient and safe way to get your vital fats.
Recommended Supplement:
Vital Omegas
Why:
Omega-3 fats have been scientifically shown to serve tremendous potential benefits to the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and brain. Omega-3 fats help improve sleep, regulate mood and hormones, improve metabolism and organ health, boost immunity, fight stress, protect against oxidation, reduce inflammation, and drastically improve cardiovascular and heart health. Omega-3 fats are crucial to good health and one of the most important nutritional resources you can ever utilize. Primal Nutrition’s Vital Omegas are the most powerful, effective, pure form available anywhere. Use this link to learn more www.primalnutrition.com
Helpful Links:
To learn about good sources of fat, visit:
http://www.marksdailyapple.com
http://www.thedailyplate.com
http://www.mercola.com
http://www.vitasearch.com
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