Are you getting enough Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats in your diet?

We have all heard of Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fats, and a lot of you are probably even taking some supplements.  But are you getting the right ratio of 3’s to 6’s?

If you are eating a diet high in trans fats, then you are already getting enough Omega 6 fats.  Omega 6 fats are pro-inflammatory, which means you want to make sure you are getting enough Omega 3 fats, which are anti-inflammatory. 

In your everyday life you want to aim for a ratio of between 3 to 1 and 1 to 1, in order to have a balanced inflammatory profile.  Most dietary fats come from the Omega-6 fats, so it’s important to include Omega-3 rich foods and supplements in your diet like, fish oil, flax seeds, and flax oil.

Fish Oil is a very popular supplement to add to your diet.  It’s important to add the right amount of EPA and DHA.  The recommended intake is 900 mg of EPA and DHA per day, that’s 3 grams of fish oil.  Of course, everyone is different so please consult with your physician first, they may have different recommendations based your health and any other medications you may be taking.

Some benefits of fish oil are:

• Decrease the risks for heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers
• Increases the metabolic rate
• Leads to reductions in fat mass and increases in lean mass
• Reduces inflammation in the body
• Reduces pain associated with inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, chronic fatigue, etc.
• Improves mood while decreasing symptoms of depression