Hi, in this weeks post, I wanted to share my thoughts on essential fatty acids and my personal experience with supplementing both omega 6 and 3 parent fatty acids (ALA and LA)
Many of you are probably familiar with fish oil supplements which are advertised as the holy Grail on almost every single health page. I too took fish oil capsules for a long time.
At the same time, many people are starting to demonize omega 6 acids, especially Linoleic acid which is one of the main fatty acids in vegetable oil. Unfortunately, due to processing, most industrial seed oils are highly rancid and very toxic . This is not what I’m talking about when I say omega 6 etc.
This movement of demonizing omega 6 has led people avoiding Whole Foods naturally rich in omegas like raw seeds and cold water fish.
However, unprocessed, raw fatty acids like LA are also one of the main components of our cell membrane and we need to consume it from our diet. In fact, we need ample of omega 6 and 3 in our diet because they are essential fatty acids , that means our body can’t make them. When we have plenty of omega 6 and 3 parent fatty acids (not EPA, and DHA which are downstream metabolites found in fish oil) our body can actually make all of the other fatty acids.
Now this is where it gets a little bit confusing, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 really matters too. A healthy ratio is about 4-1 of omega 6 to 3. This ratio keeps our cell membranes healthy and allows for optimal, mitochondrial metabolism.
Now, it is also important that we consume the parent fatty acids so ALA and LA which are mainly found in seeds and nuts (plant sources). While the downstream metabolites like CLA and EPA are found in animal foods and are also very important, we actually need the parent fatty acids because the process of converting them to the downstream metabolites in the body is very anti-inflammatory. That way, when we just take fish oil or when we take CLA, we are missing out on a very important process.
In August of last year, I actually had my cell membranes tested for essential fatty acid levels and the results were shocking. I thought I was doing everything right by avoiding omega 6 and taking lots of “anti inflammatory” fish oil but all that did was completely tank my omega six levels and made me omega-3 toxic.
I started a protocol with fatty acids from Body Bio (balance oil, evening primrose oil and Pc) which are cold pressed and tested to make sure that they are not rancid. I have to admit, I was nervous at first because I had been fear mongered into believing that seed oils are bad. But after six months, my cell membranes had already started to repair. I am noticing differences in my cognition and digestion as well as energy.
Both of my parents also had the test done, and just like me the results were very similar. Depleted in omega six and too much omega-3. And they were not even supplementing. Simply avoiding omega 6 can create deficiency.
Balance oil is a great product because it contains the parent fatty acids ALA (omega 3) and LA (omega 6) in the perfect ratio.
It cannot hurt even if you are not deficient and is a way to nourish your cells daily.
I take 2 tablespoons a day as a therapeutic dose and will be going down to 1 tablespoon when my membranes are in order. I also take 6 capsules of evening primrose oil, and I consume fish a few times a week. I don’t take fish oil since that is easily oxidized and I want to get my omega 3 downstream metabolites from real food. This is not the same as the ALA in the balance oil.
I love the oil on veggies and eggs or as a base for my salad dressing! Always add the oil after cooking , please do not heat as the fatty acids are very sensitive.
It’s important to consume with protein to protect the integrity of the fatty acids – they actually form a lipoprotein in the stomach!
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If you’re reading this after you can always use code HELEN15 for 15% off! Trust me , your cells will thank you.
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