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Go Fish
We are what what we eat eats
by Wendy Smith
I have a beautiful friend. Well, actually I have several, but I have one in particular who my ex-husband used to say was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. It never bothered me when he said that because, well, it was true.
So anyhow, I’ve known her for 10 years, and then a few months ago, she started looking exceptionally radiant. Her skin shown, her eyes glistened, she had more energy. I finally had to gingerly ask her if she was pregnant. The answer was negative, but she told me that she had started taking Omega 3 fatty acids. She was taking a supplement called “Essential Woman” as well as fish oil capsules. Her attitude, which had been a bit glum, was wonderful and, as I stated earlier, her skin looked incredible.
Omega 3 fatty acids are one of two types of fatty acids that our bodies need. The other type is Omega 6. Omega 6 fatty acids are found in various foods, such as vegetable oil, corn oil and meats, and the average American gets enough of these. Omega 3 fatty acids are found in foods like cold water fish (such as wild salmon), free-range eggs and meats, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil.
A century ago, before processed foods, Americans got almost a 1:1 ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3. That ratio has dramatically changed. This is mostly due to food processing. Omega 3s degenerate quickly in light and heat, and the temperature used to process foods gets rid of the Omega 3s. In addition, livestock is fed corn and processed food, which lowers Omega 3 content of the meat and eggs and raises the Omega 6 content. That’s why I said free-range eggs and meat contain Omega 3 fatty acids`.
We are what we eat, and we are what what we eat eats also. Now there’s a sentence ripe for an editor. But, seriously, our food is what it eats, so free-range meats and eggs contain a higher level of Omega 3s because they are not fed corn, which has a higher level of Omega 6s, which transfers to the meat. Got it?
Omega 3 fatty acids have been linked to heart health and seem to have a positive effect on the ratio of HDL (good) to LDL (bad) cholesterol. Omega 3s also lower the level of trigycerides in the body. Some studies have shown that Omega 3s might reduce the risk of cancer, as a diet high in tose acides seem to create an environment where the cancer cells cannot reproduce themselves. Omega 3 fatty acids have been used to lessen the symptoms of depression and bi-polar disorder. And there might also be a correlation between the falling levels of Omega 3 in our diets and the rising levels of ADD among our children. There is no question that Omega 3s aid in brain function, and it is interesting that Japan has very low levels of ADD diagnosis and diets very high in fish and Omega 3s.
Another interesting function of Omega 3s is that they aid in fighting inflammation, which is becoming widely recognized as the precursor of many illnesses. A common disease associated with inflammation is arthritis, and both arthritis and certain dermatitses are known to be helped by Omega 3s.
But back to the main point of my story. Omega 3s are great for the skin. Diets low in Omega 3s cause dry skin. So rather than slathering on the lotion, why not try popping a few fish oil capsules or some flaxseed oil? There might be other benefits besides great skin.
May 13, 2004 • Vol. 14, No. 20
© 2004 Metro Pulse
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