There are two types of essential fats that we have to consume through our diet: Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats. For our purposes, just understand that there are two types of fatsâ Omega-3 and Omega-6.
Related Post:Â Eat Well for Optimal Healing
Why are Omega-3 Fatty Acids so Important?
Omega 3 Fatty Acids are one of the most important nutrients utilized by your body; critical for a wide variety of body functions. The cell membranes of almost every cell in the human are made up phospholipids.
The phospholipid structure of cell membranes are primarily comprised of Omega-3 fatty acidsâmainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahaexanoic (DHA). This makes Omega-3 fatty acids a critical nutrient for cell-to-cell communication and essential for health.
The human brain is made up mostly of fatty acids and the connections between nerve cells are 80% fatty acids.
Modern food production and the intrinsically unhealthy and stressful nature of life in the developed world make our diets woefully deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency can be a major cause of health problems.
Benefits of Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) Supplementation
The major benefit of supplementing with Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) is reducing the inflammatory response [link] in the human body. Low-level inflammation is at the root of a vast array of diseases and health breakdownsâespecially pain syndromes. This appears to occur through the modulation of prostaglandin production.
Other Benefits
- Supports brain and nerve system function as well as nerve cell integrity
- Improves general cellular metabolism, communication and strength
- Improves cardiovascular health by supporting triglyceride and lipid metabolism
- Helps to maintain healthy blood flow in several important tissues
- Improves joint function and flexibility by moderating prostaglandin production
- Supports immune system function
- Promotes the antioxidant system
- Improves cognitive health and visual health
- Critical to the growth a development of babies and children
What is Omega-6?
We need to have a balance of Omega-3 to Omega-6 in order to be healthy. That balance should approach one to one.
Omega-6 fats act as important messengers in the inflammatory process. Modern food production, primarily through the over-abundance of vegetable oil (as well as the prevalence of trans fats), makes processed, pre-made, pre-packaged foods highly concentrated in Omega-6 fats.
We eat a lot of these types of foods; hence the Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio in the developed world is very much out of balance, shifting towards more Omega-6 fats.
If we eat too many Omega-6 fats, we get inflammation on a wide scale.
This is another mechanism through which our diets promote chronic inflammation and inflammatory disease.
Your Nervous System and Your Health
The health of your spine and nervous system is the foundation of your overall health. The most important thing you can do to improve your health is to correct your subluxations and restore 100% nerve supply in your body so you can move towards core healing.
Your dietary habits however play a major role in your overall health and vitality. There is a very important connection between the health of your nervous system and your ability to get the most out of your dietary habits.
Schedule a no-obligation spinal checkup to find the cause of your pain and to see if chiropractic is right for you.
It all starts with a checkup. Make a healthy choice today!
