Shaw Family Chiropractic

Reduction of Omega 6 fatty acids, primarily corn oil in the diet of mice has been shown to reduce the prevalence of prostate cancer a new study shows. Books like The Paleo Diet report that our current American diet is way out of synch when it comes to levels of Omega 6 vs. Omega 3 fatty acids. So why is that a problem you might ask?

To make a long story short, a ratio of dietary Omega 6 to 3’s of 2:1 is considered normal and healthy. In fact, that’s what our ancestors ate back in the day. In our current American diet, that ratio has risen to 12:1 and can be as much as 20:1. No wonder our rates of cancer and heart disease are through the roof!

The problem with high levels of dietary Omega 6 fats is that it causes internal inflammation (swelling), the initiating step of many diseases including cancer and heart failure. If you want to reverse the process, you need to get your ratios back to normal by,

1. Reduce the consumption of Omega 6 oils (plant oils like corn oil, sunflower seed oil, soybean oil, safflower seed oil) and

2. Increase your Omega 3’s (most practically with fish oil supplemenation)

That’s why I’ve been telling patients for years to read the ingredients on all their boxed, carbohydrate food and see where all the hidden plant oil in their diet is coming from. You should also begin supplementing with 2 grams of a high quality, phamaceutical grade of fish oil every day. It’s the most practical way to get your 6:3 ratio’s back to normal and lessen your chances of getting cancer or having a heart attack. Read more here.

Yet another study showing the benefits of Omega 3 intake during fetal development has emerged. Click Here for Article. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential fats found predominantly in fish oil as EPA and DHA (don’t ask me to pronounce or spell them out!).

Previous reports also link postpardum depression, poor neurological development and congnitive skills to insufficient omega 3 levels during pregnancy. If baby doesn’t get enough omega three during development, it will steal levels from its mother to make up for it. That’s what leads to depression in mom (low levels of omega three in adults are linked to depression and poor neurological function)

Recommended dosages of Omega 3’s are around 2 grams a day to be therapeutically beneficial. Make sure you’re also taking a pharmaceutical grade that has been tested and screened for no presence of mercury, PCB’s or other contaminants common in cheaper off the shelf products.