Ananda Mahony
NaomiFat Fads 3 (LINK)
November 30th 2007 01:03
Leading on from Fat Fads 2, the ratios of EFAs in the diet are the source of some consideration. Various optimal ratios have been recommended from 1:1, 2:1 to 5:1. These ratios are based on the traditional hunter-gatherer diet. Interestingly the World Health Organisation recommends a ratio as high as 10:1 but that may be because it reflects the ratios in a typical Western diet.
Why are ratios important? The reason is that EFA imbalances are directly involved in inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis, eczema, allergies and IBS. Inflammation is also a contributing factor in many chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease so the less inflammation we have being created the our long term health.
The problem as indicated above is that the typical Western diet provides ratios of between 10:1 and 30:1 in favour of omega 6 fatty acids. It is perhaps no wonder then that there is such a high prevalence of inflammatory conditions in Western countries.
Since hunter-gatherer times, dietary patterns have changed. Significantly since the emergence of agriculture there has been a steady increase in the consumption of omega 6 at the expense of omega 3 fatty acids. Grains are rich in omega 6 and our heavily weighted grain diets are the key reason for the imbalanced ratio.
The second factor, occurring about 50 years ago was the introduction of grain fed cattle. Until this point beef was a good source of omega 3 fatty acids. Soon after this we invented margarine and which was promoted as the miracle replacement for butter. Once again the refined oils used in margarines are rich in omega 6 (and nasty trans fats but more about these in another blog as well as why butter is better).
Unlike omega 6 which is found in grains, refined oils and grain fed animals, omega 3 is rich in plant foods, nuts & seeds and deep sea fish. Considered super foods these are sorely lacking in the Western Diet. And given the over abundance of grains and omega 6 it is quite difficult to improve the ratio of omega 3 in our diet.
A look at the food pyramid and where fats feature next time.
Why are ratios important? The reason is that EFA imbalances are directly involved in inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis, eczema, allergies and IBS. Inflammation is also a contributing factor in many chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease so the less inflammation we have being created the our long term health.
The problem as indicated above is that the typical Western diet provides ratios of between 10:1 and 30:1 in favour of omega 6 fatty acids. It is perhaps no wonder then that there is such a high prevalence of inflammatory conditions in Western countries.
Since hunter-gatherer times, dietary patterns have changed. Significantly since the emergence of agriculture there has been a steady increase in the consumption of omega 6 at the expense of omega 3 fatty acids. Grains are rich in omega 6 and our heavily weighted grain diets are the key reason for the imbalanced ratio.
The second factor, occurring about 50 years ago was the introduction of grain fed cattle. Until this point beef was a good source of omega 3 fatty acids. Soon after this we invented margarine and which was promoted as the miracle replacement for butter. Once again the refined oils used in margarines are rich in omega 6 (and nasty trans fats but more about these in another blog as well as why butter is better).
Unlike omega 6 which is found in grains, refined oils and grain fed animals, omega 3 is rich in plant foods, nuts & seeds and deep sea fish. Considered super foods these are sorely lacking in the Western Diet. And given the over abundance of grains and omega 6 it is quite difficult to improve the ratio of omega 3 in our diet.
A look at the food pyramid and where fats feature next time.
| 52 |
| Vote |
Add Comments
Comments (6)
Read More
