Good Fats Prevent Chronic Disease

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Title: Good Fats Prevent Chronic Disease

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Author: Jane Oelke

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Good Fats Prevent Chronic Disease

Copyright 2005 Jane Oelke

Essential fatty acids are the number one recommendation for

anyone who has, or wants to prevent common chronic diseases

today, such diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. And they

are very helpful in improving immune system function to

increase energy and reverse some of the damage seen in

diseases such as lupus, fibromyalgia, and MS. What types of

fat are in your diet?

If you have dry skin, stiffness, concentration problems, or

hormonal imbalances you may be lacking in a type of fat

that is essential to health. Essential fatty acids are

those fats that the body needs; yet cannot synthesize

itself. Many types of fat are unhealthy fats, yet some are

beneficial and necessary. In fact, cutting all fat from the

diet is actually harmful to health.

Essential fatty acids are needed to metabolize other types

of fats that are not good for us. Saturated fat is a

harmful fat that is found in many types of red meat and

dairy foods. Yet, the worse types of fats are the partially

hydrogenated oils found in snack foods. These types of

fats, found in most processed foods, are converted to

trans-fatty acids when heated, or oxidized. So when you

make boxed cakes or brownies you create trans fats when you

bake these partially hydrogenated oils that are included in

the mix so that the box can sit on your shelf indefinitely.

These are the types of fat that increase cholesterol in the

arteries.

The good fats, called essential fatty acids, are important

in many metabolic processes, including energy production.

Since the body cannot produce them, they must be consumed

in the diet to optimize health. The essential fatty acids

are the omega-3 (linoleic) and omega-6 (linolenic)

polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Every cell in the body is like a tiny factory, taking in

raw materials from the surrounding fluid and sending out

various chemicals. Everything going into or coming out of

the cell has to pass through the cell's membrane. The

membrane depends on essential fatty acids to remain fluid

and flexible. Without them, the membrane becomes stiff and

unable to do its job.

Essential fatty acids are also important to bring vital

oxygen to muscle cells and they enable the cells to more

easily absorb nutrients needed for recuperation. In one

study of 63 patients with fibromyalgia, essential fatty

acid supplementation resulted in a 74% reduction in pain in

patients after 1 month, and 85% after 3 months.

This is a list of the benefits realized by regular use of

essential fatty acids:

· Improved cholesterol levels

· Lower blood pressure

· Improved memory

· Increased circulation

· Reduced joint stiffness

· Reduced dryness of the skin

· Improved immune system function

· Less inflammation

· Balanced hormones

· Depression reduced.

As you can see, fatty acids are essential for metabolism

and health. Flax oil is the richest vegetarian source of

omega-3 fats. It is commonly used in salads in place of

other salad dressings. Flax oil shouldn't be used for

cooking, as high heat damages the fatty acids. Other

sources of omega-3 fatty acids are fish oils from salmon,

tuna, cod, and mackerel.

Omega-6 fatty acids are found in many vegetable oils such

as borage, flaxseed, walnut, soy, corn, sunflower, and are

especially abundant in evening primrose oil. These omega-6

acids help to soften dry skin and relax tense muscles.

Both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids need to be

supplemented in the diet. The ideal ratio of these fats is

2 parts omega-3 to 1 part omega-6 to reduce inflammation

and pain, and to improve energy metabolism. Increasing the

amount of fish oils and flax oil will help especially get

the omega-3 fatty acids into the metabolism. 2000 mg. of

flax oil is usually equivalent to 2 capsules or 1

tablespoon, and is the recommended minimum per day.

The omega-3 and omega-6 need catalysts to be absorbed in

the body. These catalysts are vitamins B3 (niacin) and B6,

vitamin C, and the minerals magnesium and zinc. When there

is a deficiency of these nutrients then the essential fatty

acids will not be absorbed well. Also when too many

saturated or trans fats are part of the normal diet then

supplementation of essential fatty acids is less effective.

A combination of essential fatty acids, minerals, enzymes,

and antioxidants, are all needed in your daily diet, or on

whole food supplement form, to make the metabolic changes

that reverse many chronic disease symptoms. Supplementing

with sufficient amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

in balance will help you absorb the other nutrients you

take in from your foods, and can make a great improvement

in your overall health and vitality.

About the Author:

Jane Oelke, N.D., Ph.D. is a Traditional Naturopath and

Doctor of Homeopathy. She is the author of “Natural Choices

for Fibromyalgia” and “Natural Choices for Attention

Deficit Disorder.” She can be contacted at

DoctorOelke@... or through her website at

http://www.NaturalChoicesForYou.com