Omega 3 Fatty Acids

New Life Journal, Oct-Nov, 2004

What are Omega 3 Fatty Acids, how can they help me, and what foods do I need to eat in order to obtain a sufficient amount on a daily basis.

One of the biggest problems that I see in my chiropractic office is the lack of proper nutrients in my patients' diets. One of the biggest deficiencies that I see is that of Omega 3 Fatty Acids. In order to appreciate Omega 3s, we must know what their role is in maintaining proper function of our body. Omega 3s are important components in each of your body's cells. If you lack the proper amount of Omega 3s in your cells, your body becomes proinflammatory, which means your body is more prone to injury and will heal at a slower rate. (1)

Researchers have found that low levels of Omega 3s promoted heart attacks and cancer. (2) If you are pregnant, you should know that Omega 3s are an essential in the development of the fetus's brain. (3) Omega 3s have also been shown to reduce depression. (4)

As you can see, Omega 3s are important to living a healthy life. There are several sources of food and supplements which contain Omega 3s, such as flax seed, flax seed oil tablets, fish oil tablets, Or liver cod oil. The preferred and the cheapest method is buying whole grain flax seed at your whole food store. You grind about one to two tablespoons of flax seed in a coffee grinder and place the ground flax seed in your morning oatmeal or cereal.

(1.) Budowski P., et al. Linolenic acid as regulator of metabolism of arachidonic acid:dietary implications of the ratio, n-6:n-3 fatty acids. Proc Nutr Soc 1985;44:221-29

(2.) Simopoulos AP. Robinson J. The Omego Plan. New York: HarperCollins; 1998 p.25

(3.) Holman, RT. Et al. Defiency of essential fatty acids and membrane fluidity during pregnancy and lactation. Proc Nat Acad Sci. 1991, 88:4835-4838.

(4.) Hibbeln, J.R. Fish Consumption and major depression. LANCET 1998 351:1213

Contact Christopher Kiefer, D.C. at 828-694-1121 or www.drkiefer.net