FU 11
Omega 3 - Getting To
the Heart of
Inflammation
When we think of inflammation, we generally tend
to associate it with the pain and swelling after a
sprain or injury.
But inflammation is far more serious than that.
In fact inflammation is becoming one of the leading
causes of death and inflammation can be found in
virtually any part or organ of the body.
And although inflammation is an essential body
process which protects us from invading bacteria
and viruses and also aids the healing process,
inflammation which is out of control can, and will,
kill us.
So Why Is Inflammation Getting Out Of Control?
Inflammation is caused by the body itself.
We produce inflammatory chemicals all the time. If
we are injured or we catch a cold then these
chemicals go to work to protect us against invasion
and to heal the injured site.
The body also produces anti-inflammatory
chemicals which keep the inflammatory chemicals
in check so that they do not run rampant within the
body.
The body uses Omega 6 to produce inflammatory
chemicals and omega 3 to produce antiinflammatory chemicals.
So How Does Omega 3 Combat Heart
Inflammation?
The problem starts when we do not provide the
body with enough omega 3 to keep the omega 6 in
check.
If we eat too much omega 6 and not enough omega
3, then the amount of inflammatory chemicals
outweighs the amount of anti-inflammatory
chemicals.
These inflammatory chemicals run around causing
havoc - causing inflammation where there is no
injury - and this can harm us and even kill us if that
inflammation happens to manifest within the heart.
In a study published in the "The Journal of
Nutritional Biochemistry", entitled "Mechanisms
Underlying Omega-3 PUFA Cardio protective
Effects “scientists showed that consumption of
omega 3 provided benefits for both primary and
secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
The study also suggested that omega 3s also
inhibit inflammatory signals in the nervous system,
reducing and regulating omega 6 fatty acids.
Why Has The Diet Changed And How Can We
Restore The Balance?
Our diets have changed drastically over the past
100 years or so.
The industrial age has brought with it fried foods,
fast foods, refined sugars and flour and a host of
other goodies.
Sources of omega 6 include baked goods, refined
sugars, flours, cooking oils, and most of those
goodies we secretly look forward to but which we
know are no good for us.
Omega 3 on the other hand is essentially found in
some nuts and flaxseed oil and fatty fish.
The good news is however that the industrial age
also brought with it manufacturing and you can now
buy a relatively cost effective omega 3 supplements
to restore the balance between omega 6 and
omega 3.
Omega 3 supplements made from Salmon and
Tuna and manufactured in their natural triglyceride
form will allow you to increase your omega 3 intake