Correct Your Ratios

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are necessary for the body but one can be more problematic than another. In this case Omega-6s in large amounts can create inflammation while the other, Omega-3s, create an anti-inflammatory effect.

Omega-3s are found in walnuts, salmon, eggs, leafy green veggies like spinach and in flax seeds. Omega-6s are found in vegetable oils like canola, sunflower and corn. They're also present in meats like chicken, beef and pork. One might say the two are competitors in what could be called a homeostatic struggle. At any rate, BulletProof blog notes:

For most people, an omega 6 to omega 3 ratio of 4:1 is ideal– that’s 4 omega 6s for every 1 omega 3 [17]. Anti-aging experts suggest going even further, maintaining a 1:1 ratio or higher in favor of omega 3s. The average American eats a ratio of anywhere from 12:1 to 25:1 omega 6 to omega 3 [15, 16]. Not good.

Since both are seen as essential fatty acids, they compete with each other for absorption. So even a diet rich in O-3s might be somewhat canceled by O-6s absorption. At any rate, most of the studies show the ratio of O-3 to O-6 in most American diets is way out of whack, in some cases 100-1 of O6s to O-3s.

But one study we found from the University of Texas at Austin a few years back noted many  Americans eat a diet that renders 100:1 or worse ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3. That to put it bluntly is a highly inflammable diet. And probably much more common given our fast food, impatient life style topped with tons of ignorance in the public and academic spheres.

Polyunsaturate your way to freedom and good health. Get your ratios correct. It takes only a little attention to gain a lot.