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Salba and EFAs - It's all about the ratio.
Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that the human body needs to function properly. As the world has become more globalized, the Western diet has drastically changed. According to Mary Clarke, PhD, of the Department of Nutrition Education at Kansas State University, the ratio between Omega-6 and Omega-3 was about one-to-one a half century ago.
Today, it is an alarming 25-to-one - even worse in the breast milk of many pregnant women: 45-to-one. The main reason for this as, Dr. William Aronson of the School of Medicine at UCLA, says is, “Corn oil (containing an incredibly high amount of Omega-6 fatty acids) is the backbone of the American diet.”
Omega-3s - Growth of Consumer Awareness
Concern over the Omega-3/Omega-6 imbalance has resulted in heightened consumer awareness. This awareness is reflected in increased sales of Omega-3 products within the natural food market:
The basic differences between Omega-3s and -6s:
- Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation,
- Omega-6 fatty acids increase inflammation.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are antithrombotic,
- Omega-6 fatty acids increase blood clotting.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are non-immunoreactive,
- Omega-6 fatty acids are immunoreactive.
Omega-3 Benefits
Because imbalanced ratios are relatively new, there are many research projects underway surrounding the benefits of Omega-3s. Some of the preliminary results support the hypothesis that Omega-3s benefit:
- Child Depression
- Weight Management/Obesity
- Coronary Heart Disease
- Diabetes Management
- Cardiovascular Heart Disease
- As well as contributing to:
- More energy
- Clearer skin
- Healthier hair
- Improved bone and joint health
- Improved allergic response