OUR NEEDS FOR OMEGA 3 As science investigates Omega 3 essential fatty acids, their importance to our health becomes more and more apparent. It is now evident that all aspects of our health are influenced by our intake of these precious nutrients, whatever our age. That is why they are now added to baby foods, and why the Government recommends we eat oily fish at least twice a week. OMEGA 6 AND OMEGA 3 BALANCE Both omega 3 and omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids are classified as essential for maintaining health, and indeed, we need both in an intake ratio of about 1:1. Human evolution happened at a time when food availability was entirely different. In particular, there was a vast difference in the balance of fatty acids that were consumed. Our ancestors ate diets that consisted of about equal quantities of omega 6 to omega 3. This is probably why omega 3 has such an important role in human physiology. At that time, the meat that was eaten was free range, eggs came from free-range birds, coastal communities had free access to fish and more outside leaves of plants were eaten, (a rich sources of omega 3), while very few grains were eaten, (rich sources of omega 6). With the advent of agriculture, the feeding of livestock on grains, the reduction in fish eating and, latterly, the wide availability of convenience foods which feature grain and seed oils, the ratio of these two fatty acids in the diet has swung dramatically in favour of omega 6 and reduced the amount of omega 3. The ratio has gone from 1:1 up to 15-20:1 omega 6 to omega 3. Ideally, everyone should have a minimum of 2-3 grams omega 3 per day (2,000-3,000mg/day). It seems that not many people achieve this level, especially if they eat little oily fish. THE BENEFICIAL COMPONENTS OF OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS When we ingest omega 3, our body breaks the fatty acids down to 2 other fatty acids - Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and these are the components our body uses for essential activity. Flax and other seed oils contain omega 3, whereas fish oil contains the preformed DHA and EPA in a form directly usable by our bodies. Doctors and nutritionists are noticing that some people are unable to efficiently break down omega 3 into the useful DHA and EPA components, which is why many people are now advised to supplement with clean, stable, whole body fish oils. WILL FISH OIL MAKE ME FAT? No! 2 grams of omega 3 would only contain 18 calories. Almost all omega 3 ingested is used for essential body processes. THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF DHA/EPA DHA and EPA are used in the membranes in every body tissue. These nutrients are particularly known for their supporting the health of the following organs and tissues: Brain; Heart; Lungs; Skin; Fertility; Joints; Circulation. WHAT ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS? Both cod liver oil and whole body fish oil contain good levels of EPA and DHA. However, sadly, many of our oceans are now polluted, and these pollutants collect in the livers of oily fish:...