OMEGA 3: AN ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID IN SHORT SUPPLY

Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid, meaning that the body cannot produce it on its own, and that it must be supplied through the foods we eat. To put it simply, Omega 3s help develop the nervous system, make cell membranes more flexible, and reduce inflammation. They also place a limit on the production of adipose (fat) cells. In days past, our ancestors probably had close to a 1/1 ratio of Omega 3s and Omega 6s, and it turns out that our physiological balance very much depends on this balance between Omega 3s and Omega 6s in our bodies.

WHAT IS OMEGA 6?

Omega 6s are also essential fatty acids. They help stock fats and promote rigidity in our cells. They also promote coagulation and inflammation in response to aggression from outside sources. The Omega 3s and Omega 6s constantly compete to control the functions of our bodies.

AN IMBALANCED RATIO

In the typical western diet, the ratio between Omega 3s and Omega 6s have been imblanced since the 1940s. This occurred because processed foods that compose most western diets today contain a much larger number of Omega 6s than they do of Omega 3s. Given that the process of inflammation is strongly associated with the spread of cancer in humans, it is no surprise that the problem of cancer has also increased in the west since 1940.

FOODS CONTAINING OMEGA 6S

You might have heard over and over that Americans should reduce the amount of red meat in their diets. While this is the case today, red meat produced by cattle was not always unhealthy, and dairy products before 1940 were not as imbalanced in their amounts of Omega 3s and Omega 6s as they are today. In fact, much of the imbalance in fatty acids today is the result of not only junk food eating by humans, but also the problem of junk food eating by cattle.

David Servan-Schreiber (Anti Cancer: A New Way of Life, David Seran-Schreiber, MD., Ph.D.) writes that in nature, the cycle is for cows to give birth in the spring, "when the grass is green and luxuriant." They then produce milk for several months until the summer's end. According to Schreiber, spring grass is an excellent source of Omega 3, and when cows eat it, they pass Omega 3s on to us through their red meat, and dairy products. Butter, cream, yogurt, and cheese produced from these cows also pass Omega 3 fatty acids on to those who eat them. Unfortunately, industrialization has caused farmers to take short cuts, replacing pastures with battery farming. Cows are now fed corn, soy, and wheat instead of fresh grass, and these feeding methods produce Omega 6s rather than Omega 3s.

THE MODERN GROCERY STORE

Today's grocery stores are stocked with processed foods and packaged goods containing a large number of chemicals, preservatives, and flavor enhancers packed with Omega 6s. Most of the nutrients needed by our bodies have been stripped from white breads, white flours, and white pastas, leaving only empty calories. These foods do not satisfy our body's need for nourishment so we remain hungry, and eat more and more junk food that leads to obesity. Obesity is also strongly related to cancer among the western populations.

JUNK FOOD DIETS THROUGH FAST FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

In the last fifty years, one fast food chain after the other has come into being. They offer the convenience of quickly prepared foods that fit into our busy schedules, and are also inexpensive to purchase. Unfortunately, they also offer an abundance of Omega 6s, no Omega 3s, and few, if any nutrients needed by our bodies. The soft drinks served are either loaded with sugar (strongly related to the inflammation caused by insulin spikes related to the onset and spread of cancer cells), or filled with sugar substitutes that many believe to be carcinogens.

HOW DO I INCREASE OMEGA 3S IN MY DIET, AND AVOID AN OVERLOADED OMEGA 6 RATIO?

Eat only organic red meat, and only organically produced milk, yogurt, cream, and cheese. If the cows aren't eating grass, and roaming free in pastures, the product is not organic. Chickens and their eggs also produce Omega 3s when they are free-range chickens fed with forage, not grain. This idea should also appeal to animal lovers, as the environment is more humane for the animals as well.

Avoid all sugar, except the low glycemic amount found in dark chocolate, and avoid sugar substitutes that contain chemicals that are not actually food. Agave nectar is a good alternative to sugar or artificial sweeteners because it is natural food, but does not cause an insulin spike (related to inflammation and cancer). Replace white bread, white flour, and white pasta with the whole wheat and whole grain variety that actually has more taste as well as more nutrients to feed your body.

REPLACE RED MEAT WITH FISH

Replace red meat with fish at least three times a week. Pink Salmon is my favorite; however, sardines, mackerel, and tuna also have some Omega 3s in them. If you cannot eat fish, you might replace some of your red meat intake with nuts. Walnuts are very high in Omega 3 content, and can serve as a protein in place of meat.

PORTIONS

Bigger is not always better, at least not in the case of dietary portions. Red meat should be limited to no more servings than three per week, and should compliment your meals, not be the main focus. Instead of having a huge steak in the middle of your meal with a small number of vegetables, eat small pieces of meat in a stir fry that is loaded with anti cancer vegetables, and fried in extra virgin olive oil (virgins aren't always better, but in the case of olive oil, virginity is highly recommended). You may also mix an anti cancer spice such as turmeric (always accompanied by black pepper) into your olive oil for extra cancer fighting strength. I'd add some agave nectar to avoid the bitter taste of the turmeric, and the mixture will actually be flavor enhancing, as well as cancer fighting.

FIGHTING CANCER INVOLVES MORE THAN ONLY OMEGA 3

While Omega 3 is very important, fighting cancer involves other actions as well. Be sure to include two cups daily of mixed fruits and vegetables, at least a variety of 9 fruits and vegetables daily, and get at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise every day. See your doctor or local health clinic annually for cancer screenings, and follow the advice of your physician. Cancer is best dealt with at the early stages; however, following the guidelines of this article, will make it less likely you will have to deal with cancer at any stage.

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