Omega 6s: What Are They
Omega 6 fatty acids are an essential fatty acid from the polyunsaturated fatty acid family, just like Omega 3s. However, where as the modern western diet is relatively deficient in Omega 3s, it is by contrast grossly abundant in Omega 6s.
This is because Omega 6s can be found in refined vegetable oils, such as soy oil or soybean oil. Did you know that soy oil, or soybean oil is used in many processed foods such as snack foods and commercially produced baked goods, as well as fast foods. It is estimated that 20% of the overall daily caloric intake of the average American comes from soybean oil…20%. YIKES!
True, Omega 6s are important to our health. Hormones derived from Omega-6 fatty acids tend to increase inflammation (an important component of the immune response), blood clotting, and cell proliferation. Those from Omega-3 fatty acids decrease those functions. Essentially the two classes of fatty acids have the opposite effects. But both must be in balance to maintain optimum health.
Think about it, they are not in balance. North Americans and Europeans eat more processed foods and convenient foods than ever before. Further, they eat less fish (Omega 3s) than ever before, making this a huge dietary imbalance.
These fatty acids can also aide to reduce the occurrences of allergy induced asthma and dermatitis (eczema). Further, an abundance of Omega 6s in our diet can enhance the ill effects of a deficiency in Omega 3s.
Could the rise in ADHA and poor behavior issues in American children be contributed to our diet? Could the increased number of children suffering from asthma, autoimmunity and neurodegenerative diseases be explained? Could we enhance the cognitive learning abilities of our children and make schoolwork a little easier for them? I don’t know, but it is an interesting thought.
Together, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. A healthy diet should consist of roughly one omega-3 fatty acids to four omega-6 fatty acids. A typical American diet, however, tends to contain 11 to 30 times more omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-6 fatty acids can be found in leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts, grains and vegetable oils (corn, safflower, soybean, cottonseed, sesame, sunflower). Most diets provide adequate amounts of omega-6. Unless you eat a diet that is extremely low in fat, it is very easy to get more than enough omega-6.
This is because Omega 6s can be found in refined vegetable oils, such as soy oil or soybean oil. Did you know that soy oil, or soybean oil is used in many processed foods such as snack foods and commercially produced baked goods, as well as fast foods. It is estimated that 20% of the overall daily caloric intake of the average American comes from soybean oil…20%. YIKES!
True, Omega 6s are important to our health. Hormones derived from Omega-6 fatty acids tend to increase inflammation (an important component of the immune response), blood clotting, and cell proliferation. Those from Omega-3 fatty acids decrease those functions. Essentially the two classes of fatty acids have the opposite effects. But both must be in balance to maintain optimum health.
Think about it, they are not in balance. North Americans and Europeans eat more processed foods and convenient foods than ever before. Further, they eat less fish (Omega 3s) than ever before, making this a huge dietary imbalance.
Diets High in Omega 6 & Health Implications
The deficiency of Omega 3s is considered the widest spread nutrient deficiency in the United States. It has been suggested that a deficiency in Omega 3 fatty acids can be linked to cognitive and psychosocial problems like ADHD, motor skill dysfunction, depression and maybe even dyslexia.These fatty acids can also aide to reduce the occurrences of allergy induced asthma and dermatitis (eczema). Further, an abundance of Omega 6s in our diet can enhance the ill effects of a deficiency in Omega 3s.
Could the rise in ADHA and poor behavior issues in American children be contributed to our diet? Could the increased number of children suffering from asthma, autoimmunity and neurodegenerative diseases be explained? Could we enhance the cognitive learning abilities of our children and make schoolwork a little easier for them? I don’t know, but it is an interesting thought.
Together, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. A healthy diet should consist of roughly one omega-3 fatty acids to four omega-6 fatty acids. A typical American diet, however, tends to contain 11 to 30 times more omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-6 fatty acids can be found in leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts, grains and vegetable oils (corn, safflower, soybean, cottonseed, sesame, sunflower). Most diets provide adequate amounts of omega-6. Unless you eat a diet that is extremely low in fat, it is very easy to get more than enough omega-6.
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