Omega-3

What Are Omega Fats?

Omega fats are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are essential for the body, we cannot produce them ourselves, meaning, they must come from our diet. Omega fats play a crucial role in brain function, heart health, inflammation control, and cell membrane structure, however, contrary to popular belief, we only need a small amount of these fats in our diet.

The three main types of omega are:

1. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, support brain and heart health, improve eye health and regulate cholesterol levels. Foods rich in omega 3 include fatty fish, flaxseed, chia, hemp seeds, and walnuts. Some leafy greens such as spinach, kale and chard can also be a good source of omega 3’s

2. Omega-6 fatty acids is essential for growth and development, helps with immune response and blood clotting, however it can be pro-inflammatory when consumed in excess. Omega 6 is found in vegetable oils (soybean, corn, sunflower, safflower), tofu and other soy products, processed and fried foods, nuts and seeds.

3. Omega-9 fatty acids are non-essential but beneficial. Omega 9’s supports heart health, improves insulin sensitivity, and can reduce inflammation. Sources for omega 9’s include nuts (almonds, cashews, macadamia), olives and avocados.

Optimal omega-6 to omega-3 ratio

The optimal omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is generally considered to be between 1:1 and 4:1, favoring omega-6, though there's some debate among researchers about the exact ideal ratio.

Over the past 100 years we have witnessed a shift towards a high omega-6 content in Western diets, mostly due to widespread use of vegetable oils in processed foods and grain-fed livestock (pasture raised and free range animal products tend to be higher in omega-3).

The result is that typical Western diets now have an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of approximately 15:1 to 20:1, far from the 1:1 to 4:1 ratio that characterized human diets throughout most of our evolutionary history.

This imbalance can contribute to various health issues due to the pro-inflammatory nature of some omega-6 metabolites compared to the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3s.

Importance of Omega-3 Supplementation - not all supplements are created equal

For those seeking to improve their omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, it would be wise to create significant changes in their diet, while also choosing a high quality omega-3 supplement. This can improve cardiovascular health, brain function, reduce inflammation, support eye health, improve skin condition, regulate immune system function, and reduce symptoms of depression.

Fish Oil Supplements

The Ocean is filled with living trace minerals that help create a supernatural energy force that is unmatched by any other natural force on planet earth, however, our oceans are also heavily polluted with toxic heavy metals, especially mercury, that come from industrialized sources. Both these forces are present within fish - living trace minerals and toxic heavy metals

When the trace minerals and mercury enter the fish these two forces clash, causing a reaction within the fish. As a result, the trace minerals are mostly stored inside the muscle tissue of the fish, while the mercury and other toxic heavy metals end up in the oil, in the fat of the fish. This makes the fish oil deficient of minerals, while the toxic heavy metals take on a concentrated form.

The less oil in the fish, the less mercury the fish has. Smaller and younger fish will have less toxic heavy metals than older and larger fish. For example, sardines, mackerel, and anchovies contain much less mercury than large oily fish like tuna.

When producing fish oil supplements, manufacturers claim that the physical mercury is removed from their supplements, however this is an impossible and unrealistic goal. The ‘purification’ process that supplement manufacturers use to try and lower the mercury content, actually destabilizes the toxic heavy metal, creating a homeopathic version of itself that is highly absorbable. This concentrated mercury has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and enter sensitive organs. This homeopathic concentration of mercury is a powerful methyl mercury that is extremely toxic to the brain and organs.

The affects of mercury on the body

When this mercury enters the body it actually strengthens and feeds pathogens, viruses, including Epstein Barr, shingles, cytomegalovirus, HSV1, HHV2, 6 & 7 and more. When viruses consume mercury they excrete neurotoxins that are responsible for neurological fatigue, symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Additional symptoms and disorders caused by mercury poisoning include ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, cerebral palsy, chronic anger disorder, chronic mystery guilt, eating disorders, focus and concentration issues, headaches, Huntington's disease, lupus, Lyme disease, memory loss and forgetfulness, mood changes, motor skills disorder, mystery nausea and vomiting, narcolepsy, numbness and tingling, OCD, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, seizures, tics and spasms, and Tourette's syndrome.

In summary

If you are seeking to lower inflammation, improve brain, heart, and eye health, and/or regulate cholesterol levels, it is best to first make changes in your diet. By adding more fruits and vegetables, lowering your intake of processed and animal based foods, you can achieve excellent results.

If you feel you need additional support, a vegan omega-3 supplement is a much safer option.  Vimergy’s Omega-3 EPA/DHA supplement is an excellent choice.

It is important to remember, before beginning any supplement regimen, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare provider, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking medications.

Information in this article has come from the Medical Medium books and website