Omega 6 oils VS Omega 3 oils

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Here are the articles, there are 3 with links about the controversy.

This was brought to my attention by a friend who has a child with

ADD, and she was amazed of the two difference in omega 3 vs 6. I have

heard that kids do well with Flax and fish oil if they have ADD. We

here tend to get more of the omega 6 and there are problems due to

the fact we get so much, most likely because we eat fast food and

oils from fried foods.

http://www.annecollins.com/dietary-fat/omega-6-fats.htm

Omega 6 Fatty Acids

What is Omega-6 fat and what foods will I find it in?

Omega-6 (along with omega-3) belongs to a family of fats called

essential fatty acids. These EFAs are found in polyunsaturated fats.

Omega 6 - Linoleic Acid (LA) - is the essential fatty acid in ample

supply. According to experts, our current consumption of this fatty

acid has doubled from what it was in 1940. Excess intake of omega 6

can cause increased water retention, raised blood pressure and raised

blood clotting.

By comparison, our intake of omega 3 fatty acids has shrunk to one

sixth of 1850 levels.

We should REDUCE our consumption of omega-6 fatty acids and INCREASE

our consumption of omega-3

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-6-000317.htm

Overview

Omega-6 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids (EFAs),

which means that they are essential to human health but cannot be

made in the body. For this reason, they must be obtained from food.

Omega-3 fatty acids are another important group of essential fatty

acids. Together, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role

in brain function as well as normal growth and development. EFAs

belong to the class of fatty acids called polyunsaturated fatty acids

(PUFAs). They are generally necessary for stimulating skin and hair

growth, maintaining bone health, regulating metabolism, and

maintaining reproductive capability.

Deficiencies in EFAs can lead to reduced growth, a scaly rash called

dermatitis, infertility, and lack of ability to fight infection and

heal wounds. Lack of omega-6 fatty acids, however, is extremely rare

in diets of those living in certain Western countries, particularly

the United States, as well as Israel. In fact, North American and

Israeli diets tend to have too much omega-6, particularly in relation

to omega-3 fatty acids. This imbalance contributes to long-term

diseases such as heart disease, cancer, asthma, arthritis, and

depression. A healthy diet should consist of roughly one omega-3

fatty acids to four omega-6 fatty acids. A typical American diet,

however, tends to contain 11 to 30 times more omega-6 than omega-3

fatty acids.

In contrast, a Mediterranean diet is made up of a healthier and more

appropriate balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The

Mediterranean diet includes a generous amount of whole grains, fresh

fruits and vegetables, fish, olive oil, and garlic; plus, there is

little meat, which is high in omega-6 fatty acids.

There are several different types of omega-6 fatty acids. Most omega-

6 fatty acids are consumed in the diet from vegetable oils as

linoleic acid (LA; be careful not to confuse this with alpha-

linolenic acid [ALA] which is an omega-3 fatty acid). Linoleic acid

is converted to gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in the body and then

further broken down to arachidonic acid (AA). AA can also be consumed

directly from meat, and GLA can be ingested from several plant-based

oils including evening primrose oil (EPO), borage oil, and black

currant seed oil.

Excess amounts of LA and AA are unhealthy because they promote

inflammation, thereby leading to several of the diseases described

above. In contrast, GLA may actually reduce inflammation. Much of the

GLA taken as a supplement is not converted to AA, but rather to a

substance called dihomogamma-linolenic acid (DGLA). DGLA competes

with AA and prevents the negative inflammatory effects that AA would

otherwise cause in the body. In addition, DGLA becomes part of a

particular series of substances, called prostaglandins, that can

reduce inflammation. Having adequate amounts of certain nutrients in

the body (including magnesium, zinc, and vitamins C, B3, and B6)

helps promote the conversion of GLA to DGLA rather than AA.

It is important to know that many experts feel that the science

supporting the use of omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation and

prevent diseases is much stronger than the information regarding use

of GLA for these purposes.

Anorexia Nervosa

Studies suggest that women, and possibly men, with anorexia nervosa

have lower than optimal levels of PUFAs and display abnormalities in

the use of these fatty acids in the body. To prevent the metabolic

complications associated with essential fatty acid deficiencies, some

recommend that treatment programs for anorexia nervosa include PUFA-

rich foods such as organ meats and fish.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Studies suggest that children with ADHD have lower levels of EFAs,

both omega-6s and omega-3s. Given the relationship of EFAs to normal

brain and behavioral function, this makes sense. Because of this

logical connection and the low levels of EFAs measured in those with

ADHD, scientists have speculated that replacement of EFAs through

food or supplements may help lessen the behaviors and symptoms of

this condition.

Research to date has suggested an improvement in symptoms and

behaviors related to ADHD from omega-3 fatty acids. Results of

studies supplying omega-6 fatty acids in the form of GLA from EPO or

other sources to children with ADHD, however, have been mixed and,

therefore, not conclusive. More research on GLA for ADHD is needed

before conclusions can be drawn. In the meantime, ensuring a

healthier balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in the diet seems

worthwhile for those with this behavioral condition.

Diabetes

Omega-6 fatty acid supplementation, in the form of GLA from EPO or

other sources, may assist nerve function and help prevent nerve

disease experienced by those with diabetes (called peripheral

neuropathy and felt as numbness, tingling, pain, burning, or lack of

sensation in the feet and/or legs).

Eye Disease

GLA may be beneficial in dry-eye conditions such as Sjögren's

syndrome (a condition with symptoms of dry eyes, dry mouth, and,

often, arthritis).

Osteoporosis

A deficiency in essential fatty acids (including GLA and EPA, an

omega-3 fatty acid) can lead to severe bone loss and osteoporosis.

Studies have shown that supplements of GLA and EPA help maintain or

increase bone mass. Essential fatty acids may also enhance calcium

absorption, increase calcium deposits in bones, diminish calcium loss

in urine, improve bone strength, and enhance bone growth, all of

which may contribute to improved bone mass and, therefore, strength.

Menopausal Symptoms

Although EPO has gained some popularity for treating hot flashes, the

research to date has not demonstrated a benefit of GLA or EPO over

taking a placebo. With that said, there are individual women who

report improvement; therefore, it may be worthwhile to talk to your

doctor about whether it is safe for you to try EPO or another form of

GLA supplements to alleviate hot flashes.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Although results of studies have been mixed, some women find relief

of their PMS symptoms when using GLA supplements from EPO or another

source. The symptoms that seem to be helped the most are breast

tenderness and feelings of depression as well as irritability and

swelling and bloating from fluid retention. Breast tenderness from

causes other than PMS may also improve with use of GLA.

Acne and Psoriasis

Some speculate that dietary LA (from, for example, corn oil) may

prove beneficial for these skin conditions by replenishing the low

levels of LA in these lesions. Research in this area is needed to

determine whether this theory has any basis.

Eczema

Several early studies suggested that EPO is more beneficial than

placebo at relieving symptoms associated with this skin condition

such as itching, redness, and scaling. However, more recent studies

have not had the same positive results testing GLA derived from EPO.

The bottom line is that whether EPO supplements work for someone with

eczema may be very individual. Talk to your doctor about the

possibility and safety of trying EPO for this condition.

Alcoholism

EPO may help lessen cravings for alcohol and prevent liver damage.

Some of this information comes from animal studies; more research in

people is needed.

Allergies

People who are prone to allergies may require more EFAs and often

have difficulty converting LA to GLA. In fact, women and infants who

are prone to allergies appear to have lower levels of GLA in breast

milk and blood.

To date, the use of EFAs to prevent allergic reactions or reduce

their magnitude has had mixed results. There have been some reports

of individuals lessening their allergic reaction by taking GLA from

EPO. For example, one young boy who broke out in hives when around

dogs, no longer had this response after taking EPO for one month.

Well-conducted research studies are needed to determine whether EPO

can be helpful for large numbers of people with allergies.

On the other hand, a study evaluating dietary intake of omega-6 fatty

acids relative to the risk of having hay fever (called allergic

rhinitis) found different results for this other type of allergic

reaction. Nurses in Japan with higher amounts of omega-6 in their

diet were more likely to have hay fever.

Omega-6 fatty acids from the diet or supplements, such as GLA from

EPO or other sources, have a longstanding history of folk use for

allergies. Whether this supplement improves your symptoms, therefore,

may be very individual. Work with your healthcare provider to first

determine if it is safe for you to try GLA and then follow your

allergy symptoms closely for any signs of improvement or lack there

of.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Some preliminary information indicates that GLA, from EPO, borage

oil, or black currant seed oil, may diminish joint pain, swelling,

and morning stiffness. GLA may also allow for reduction in amount of

pain medication used by those with rheumatoid arthritis. The studies

to date, however, have been small in size. Additional research would

be helpful, including testing a proposed theory that using GLA and

EPA (an omega-3 fatty acid from fish oil) together would be helpful

for rheumatoid arthritis.

In the meantime, talk to your doctor about whether using GLA is safe

for you and then pay attention, over 1 to 3 months of use, to whether

your symptoms get better or not. In terms of borage oil, some

researchers theorize that it may not be safe to use with non-

steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, which

are commonly used for arthritis). This theory needs to be tested. See

Possible Interactions.

Cancer

Results of studies looking at the relationship of omega-6 fatty acids

to cancer have been mixed. While LA and AA are cancer promoting in

studies of colon, breast, and other cancers, GLA and EPO have shown

some benefit for breast cancer in certain studies. The information is

not conclusive and is somewhat controversial. The safest bet is to

eat a diet with the proper balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids

(see How To Take It), starting from a young age, to try to prevent

the development of cancer.

Weight Loss

Results of studies regarding use of EPO for weight loss have been

mixed and, therefore, use of this type of supplement won't work for

everyone. One study suggests that if the supplement is going to work,

it does so mainly for overweight individuals for whom obesity runs in

the family. In addition, a few other small studies suggest that the

more overweight you are, the more likely that EPO will help. In fact,

if your body weight is only 10% above normal (for example, 10 to 20

pounds above average), EPO is unlikely to help you lose weight.

High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease

Animal studies suggest that GLA, either alone or in combination with

two important omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA both found in fish and

fish oil, may lower the blood pressure of hypertensive rats. Together

with EPA and DHA, the GLA helped to prevent the development of heart

disease in these animals as well. It is unclear whether these

benefits would occur in people.

In one study evaluating people with peripheral artery disease

(blockage in the blood vessels in the legs from atherosclerosis

[plaque] causing cramping pain with walking), men and women with this

condition did experience improvement in their blood pressure from the

combination of EPA and GLA. Much more research is needed in people

before conclusions can be drawn. Plus, it may not be the GLA

conferring the benefit at all – the omega-3 fatty acids, which are

better known for improving blood pressure and the risks for heart

disease, may be solely responsible.

Tuberculosis

Animal studies suggest that guinea pigs fed a diet rich in omega-6

fatty acids were better able to fight this infection than guinea pigs

fed a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Whether this would help

people with tuberculosis is not known.

Ulcers

Very preliminary evidence from test tube and animal studies suggest

that GLA from EPO may have anti-ulcer properties. It is premature to

know how this might apply to people with stomach or intestinal ulcers

or gastritis (inflammation of the stomach).

There is a hefty battle going on between omega 3 vs. omega 6 fish oil

although they contain all the essential necessary fatty acids to

promote good health. The distinction between them lies in the fact

that omega 3 oils are less available to us than they used to be

through foods and omega 6 fatty acids, which used to be less

available, are now found in almost every processed food on earth.

The trouble is that we as a society consume far too much omega 6 and

not near enough omega 3 on a scale ratio of approximately 35:1. The

biggest number representing omega 6 and the low number representing

the omega 3. Our ancestors of yesterday had a diet with a ratio of

1:1! Now we can clearly see how the fight for balance between omega 3

vs. omega 6 fish oil within the body.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Nutritional-Wonders---Omega-3-Vs.-Omega-6-

Fish-Oil & id=475122

The Battle Rages On: Omega 3 Vs. Omega 6 Fish Oil

When speaking of sources in the battle of omega 3 vs. omega 6 fish

oil products as well, as mentioned above, in foods that we ingest

there is a huge imbalance of the essential fatty acids. Of the foods,

sources of omega 3 are found in items such as nuts especially walnuts

or almonds; broccoli and cauliflower, spinach, brussel sprouts,

cabbage, flaxseeds and various types of seafood demonstrate the

battle between omega 3 vs. omega 6 fish oil.

Fish is extremely high in essential fatty acids and is the best food

to obtain these essentials. Fish can pose as a problem and one of the

best sources of acquiring omega 3 vs. omega 6 fish oil needs to be

examined in how it is processed.

While essential that you understand the battle between omega 3 vs.

omega 6 fish oil it is of equal importance that you obtain a product

that has a pharmaceutical grade on it as this ensures the best

product available on the market, from any supplier. Equally important

is that the process in which they purify the product to ensure all

and any contaminants are removed is called molecular distillation.

Any omega 3 fish oil you buy should not be made from raw material

that is harvested from polluted waters and if you research clean

fish. In research you will find that the best place to collect fish

for one of the best sources of omega 3 fish oil is in New Zealand.

We have found a pure pharmaceutical grade, molecularly distilled fish

oil product that is naturally high in DHA and EPA.

Coming from the Hoki Fish Located on the pristine southern coasts of

New Zealand, where the waters are extremely low in pollution and

toxins. Discover the best fish oil product on the market today and

the one we ourselves personally use. We recommend you learn more:

Omega 3 Fish Oil