Understanding essential fatty acids

Essential fatty acids are an important part of nutrition which are widely misunderstood by most people. In the media, there seems to be a general opinion that all fat is bad for your health, and food producers spend vast amounts of money promoting “low fat” and “fat free” products as part of a healthier lifestyle.

Most people have heard of essential fatty acids, but few really know what they are and the role they play in the human body. The reason they are called “essential” is because your body needs them in order to grow and function normally, but it cannot produce them by itself, so they must be present in your diet if you are to remain in good health.

There are two main types of essential fatty acids – Omega 3 and Omega 6. While the body needs both in order to function properly, the balance between the two different types is critically important when it comes to reducing the likelihood of disease.

Ideally, your diet should contain one part Omega 3 to three parts Omega 6. However, the typical Western diet has been found to have closer to thirty parts Omega 6 to every one of Omega 3. As Omega 3 is an anti-inflammatory and Omega 6 is an inflammatory, this imbalance leaves people at risk of diseases like arthritis, heart disease and circulatory disorders.

A key source of Omega 3 fatty acids is oily fish. In Japan, where such fish are consumed in far greater quantities than in the West, the rates of heart disease and strokes are markedly lower.

However, introducing more Omega 3 into your diet can be difficult, particularly if you find oily fish such as anchovies and sardines unpalatable. An easy way round this is to regularly take supplements that include essential fatty acids.

Nutricentre have a range of easy to swallow capsules that will ensure you boost your Omega 3 intake without disrupting your current diet. To find out more, simply visit www.nutricentre.com.