Fatty Acids

[Guest guest]

I have read a lot about fatty acids and have not come across tuna as

a good source. I take a spoonful of flax oil each day and eat sushi

(especially salmon and mackeral) about 2 times a week. When I

balance my fatty acids I definatly do better. -Patty

Here is what Dr. Weil (Famous integrative medicine guy with

the beard..) has to say about Omega 3 fatty acids. I like him, but

am always a bit skeptical of alternative medicine folks:

Omega-3 fatty acids refer to a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids

found in certain foods. Alpha-linolenic acid is considered an

essential fatty acid (EFA) for humans because the body cannot make it

from other fatty acids. It is 18 carbons long and found in plant

foods, specifically flax seeds, walnuts, hemp seeds, and certain

greens like purslane. Ground flax seed is the best source of this

fatty acid. EPA and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are long chain omega-3

fatty acids, 20 and 22 carbons long, respectively. They are found in

animal foods (fish and wild game) as well as in some algaes. They are

the primary constituents of fish oils that seem to protect against

heart attack, stroke, cancer and inflammatory diseases like

rheumatoid arthritis. EPA is involved in protection against disease

in several ways. The most important include " thinning " the blood and

preventing blood clots, and being converted into less inflammatory

prostaglandins and reducing inflammation. Oily fleshed, cold water

fish like salmon and sardines are the best sources of EPA, although

fish oil capsules are available and may be used if higher amounts of

EPA are needed for specific conditions. If you use fish oil capsules,

choose a product that is free from heavy metals and toxins that may

also contaminate fish.

[Guest guest]

>So, eating seeds may be more convenient since they do not

>spoil so readily. However, a spoon of flax oil might be easier to eat

>than a bunch of flax seeds

and remember

unless the seeds are ground

they will pass through your digestive system

relatively

undigested

and

you won't get the benefits of the oil

ground, however, you get the oil,

fiber

protein

and other goodies

(and can be sprinkled on stuff

you don't have to eat it by the spoonful)

stacey

[Guest guest]

>So, eating seeds may be more convenient since they do not

>spoil so readily. However, a spoon of flax oil might be easier to eat

>than a bunch of flax seeds

and remember

unless the seeds are ground

they will pass through your digestive system

relatively

undigested

and

you won't get the benefits of the oil

ground, however, you get the oil,

fiber

protein

and other goodies

(and can be sprinkled on stuff

you don't have to eat it by the spoonful)

stacey

[Guest guest]

>So, eating seeds may be more convenient since they do not

>spoil so readily. However, a spoon of flax oil might be easier to eat

>than a bunch of flax seeds

and remember

unless the seeds are ground

they will pass through your digestive system

relatively

undigested

and

you won't get the benefits of the oil

ground, however, you get the oil,

fiber

protein

and other goodies

(and can be sprinkled on stuff

you don't have to eat it by the spoonful)

stacey