Balancing Your Fats

Compared to a century ago, the modern Western diet supplies an abundance of omega-6 fatty acids (in meat and many vegetable oils, such as corn oil) and a shortage of omega-3s (notably in fish and flaxseed). This imbalance, some experts believe, promotes inflammation and contributes to chronic diseases.

To test this intriguing yet controversial theory, researchers at Wake Forest fed healthy people a diet with an omega-6/omega-3 ratio of 2:1, mimicking that of our early ancestors. (By comparison, today’s typical Western diet has an omega-6/omega-3 ratio as high as 10:1.) After five weeks, the volunteers showed reductions in key signaling genes that promote inflammation.

While both types of omega fats are essential, it won’t hurt--and might help--to shift the balance in favor of omega-3s. You can do this by eating more fish and whole plant foods and less meat and processed foods. Read more - http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/printerfriendlynews.php?newsid=151995