Omega-3 is Essential to the Human Body
Over 2,000 scientific studies have demonstrated the wide range of problems associated with Omega-3 deficiencies. The American diet is almost devoid of Omega 3's, except for certain types of fish. In fact, researchers believe that about 60% of Americans are deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids, and about 20% have so little that test methods cannot even detect any in their blood.
Just as your muscles are made of protein and your bones are made of calcium, the human brain is more than 60% structural fat. But it's not just any fat that our brains are made of. It has to be certain types of fats, and we no longer eat these types of fats like we used to. Instead, we eat man-made trans-fats and excessive amounts of saturated fats and vegetable oils, all of which interfere which our body's attempt to utilize amount of Omega-3 fats that it gets.
A Purdue University study has showed that kids low in Omega-3 essential fatty acids are significantly more likely to be hyperactive, have learning disorders, and to display behavioral problems. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, Omega-3 deficiencies have also been tied to many conditions, including the following: allergies, arthritis, cancer, eczmea, diabetes, depression, dyslexia, eczema, heart diseaes, inflammatory diseases, memory problems, and violence.
the following is an excerpt from the article
The Dark Side of Good Fats
By Dean Ornish, M.D.
......"Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold-water fish (mackerel, herring, salmon, trout, sardines and albacore tuna), as well as oils from canola, soybean, flaxseed and walnuts. (In contrast, olive oil does not contain much of the omega-3 fatty acids.) In smaller concentrations, they are present in dark green leafy vegetables like kale and collard greens.
Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce triglycerides (a form of fat), lower blood pressure and decrease inflammation (thereby reducing arthritis and other inflammatory illnesses), as well as autoimmune diseases such as lupus. They can help to prevent excessive blood clots from forming which, in turn, may decrease the risk of a heart attack and stroke. They may help prevent irregular heartbeats.
When given to pregnant women and lactating mothers, omega-3 fatty acids (which are an important part of your brain) may actually increase your baby’s IQ by six points or more and may reduce the incidence of allergic disease in the offspring. They also may reduce depression and may help prevent dementia. Some studies suggest that the omega-3 fatty acids may even reduce the risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer.
The omega-3 fatty acids stabilize the rhythm of your heart by effectively removing hyper-excitable cells (cells that are only barely receiving enough blood flow)from functioning, thereby reducing the likelihood of irregular heartbeats and sudden cardiac death. For most people, this is a very good thing and accounts for most of the large reduction in the likelihood of sudden cardiac death.
However, a recent British Medical Journal analysis of nearly 100 studies of omega-3 fatty acids found mixed benefits. In most people they were beneficial, but not so for everyone. For those with congestive heart failure, chronic recurrent angina or evidence that the heart is receiving insufficient blood flow, it may be prudent to avoid taking omega-3 fatty acids or eating foods that contain them, and they should talk to their doctor."
