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Now
Fat's Good for Us? Not Just Another Fish
Story |
by:
ARA |
(ARA)
- Low fat, no fat and now they say to eat
more fat?
Over the years, Americans have been fed
different stories about choosing the right
foods for optimum health. When researchers
warned that too much fat in your diet leads
to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and
a host of other health problems, Americans
jumped on the low fat, no fat bandwagon
with little success.
New studies reveal that we must have some
fat in our diet for good health and reduction
of disease. The omega-3 fatty acids are
said to be “essential” because they can
not be produced by the body and must be
obtained through our food sources..
*What are omega-3s?
Omega-3 essential fatty acids can come from
either plant or marine sources. They can
be found in fish and fish oil, unrefined
vegetable oils, raw nuts, seeds and beans.
Linolenic acid, the marine source, can be
found in certain fatty fish such as mackerel,
lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore
tuna and salmon. These fish and fish oil
supplements contain bioavailable docosahexaenoic
(DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acid, the
two kinds of omega-3 essential fatty acids
crucial to good health.
The plant based omega-3 essential fatty
acid is alpha linolenic acid (alpha meaning
plant) and can be found in omega-3 rich
oils such as flaxseed, canola, soybean and
walnut oils. These plant sourced omega-3
EFAs don’t metabolize in the body like fish
oil. They need to be broken down by the
body’s enzymatic system into DHA and EPA
before the body can reap its powerful benefits.
Flaxseed oil, the plant source highest in
omega-3s, is a great alternative for vegetarians
and those who can’t tolerate fish or fish
oil capsules.
In Dr. Walter Willett’s book, “Eat, Drink
& Be Healthy,” he writes: “Given the wide
ranging importance and benefits of omega-3
fatty acids, everyone should try to eat
at least one good source of them a day.”
The omega-3 essential fatty acid is a key
component of cell membranes throughout the
body, especially the eye, brain and central
nervous system. This important fat is the
building block of hormones, including those
that regulate blood clotting, artery walls
and inflammation. A recent study indicated
that the omega-3 EFA from fish reduces the
risk of cardiovascular disease and can reduce
the risk of stroke as well.
Fish oil has been found to increase circulation
and reduce insulin sensitivity; but most
importantly, diabetics who ate more fish
had a significantly lower risk of coronary
heart disease and total death than those
who didn’t eat fish. Fish oils have proven
beneficial for people suffering many disorders
including depression, cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s
disease, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes
and lupus. It also helps keep hair, skin
and nails healthy.
On a grand scale, omega-3s play a vital
role in health. Doctors and researchers
have been studying the benefits for years.
Now the government and the important organizations
are also emphasizing the need for good fats
in the diet.
Last November, the American Heart Association
(AHA) issued a release stating, “omega-3
fatty acids benefit the heart health of
healthy people, people at high risk of cardiovascular
disease and patients with cardiovascular
disease.” The organization recommends that
Americans eat fatty fish, such as mackerel,
lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore
tuna and salmon, at least twice a week.
Regular consumption of omega-3 fatty acids
from plant sources such as flaxseed, canola,
soybean and walnut oils is also highly recommended.
Recently, the White House Executive Office
sent a letter to the Department of Health
& Human Services and the USDA requesting
the departments promote the consumption
of omega-3 essential fatty acids. The request
has been made to add omega-3 essential fatty
acids to the new dietary guidelines for
Americans, scheduled to be released in 2005.
The Executive Office has also asked that
omega-3s be incorporated on the soon to
be updated 1992 USDA Food Guide Pyramid.
The American Heart Association urges Americans
to eat fatty fish to get an adequate intake
of omega-3s into their diet. Take caution
when choosing these fatty fish, as sometimes
they are laden with contaminants such as
mercury, PCBs and lead. Supplements can
be taken if omega-3 rich fish or plants
sources aren’t readily available. Before
purchasing fish oil supplements it is important
to look at the label to make sure it is
PCB, mercury and lead free.
“Product quality and consumer health are
number one for Spectrum. Every lot of fish
oil we encapsulate is tested to be free
of PCBs, mercury, lead and dioxins,” says
Neil Blomquist , CEO of Spectrum Organic
Products, Incorporated. “It would be absurd
for us to supply consumers with heart healthy
fish oil that contained deadly toxins.”
Flaxseed, canola, walnut and soybean oils
can be incorporated into salad dressings
for their omega-3 benefits.
Incorporating omega-3 essential fatty acids
into your diet, whether by marine or plant
source is a good start to a healthier way
of eating and living. Reducing your intake
of saturated fat and trans fats, exercising
and eliminating stress are just as important.
Spectrum Organic Products carries a natural
and healthy line of trans fat free shortening,
margarine, spreads, culinary oils and essential
fatty acid nutritional supplement line including
PCB mercury free fish oil and organic flaxseed
oil. You can find their products in natural
food stores and select chain stores across
the United States. For more information
log onto www.spectrumnaturals.com or call
(800) 995-2705.
Courtesy of ARA Content
About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content
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