The Gluten Connection by Shari Lieberman

Author:Shari Lieberman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rodale Inc.
Published: 2007-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Fish Oil

Your body needs a number of different types of fatty acids to maintain good health. Among these are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids, however, must be in balance.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids—eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA)—are “good fats” that your body cannot produce on its own. EPA and DHA are used to create hormonal-like compounds known as prostaglandins, which (among other things) induce inflammation.

A good source for omega-3 fatty acids is fish oil.

Fish oil has been shown in numerous studies to be therapeutic for IBD and autoimmune disease. Fish oil also protects against heart disease and sudden death. It is important for bone health, and it is protective and potentially therapeutic for cancer, since it may halt the spread of metastasis. It is also essential for healthy skin and hair.

Although you can get omega-3 fatty acids from flax and walnuts, I recommend fish oil over them. The reason: Flax and walnuts first break down into another omega-3 fatty acid—alpha-linolenic acid—before undergoing several more enzymatic steps to become the more active EPA and DHA.

The more work your body has to go through to get to the EPA and DHA, the longer it takes. Fish oil gets faster results. And fish oil has also been studied more extensively than flaxseed oil. Its benefits are well documented.

Omega-6 fatty acids are commonly found in most vegetable oils as linoleic acid and are used by the body to form inflammatory prostaglandins. Arachidonic acid is another omega-6 fatty acid that is found in most meats, especially commercial beef and chicken, which comes from animals that are fed corn products and other foods that are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids but are rich sources of omega-6.

You need to be aware that inflammation is not all bad. We need an inflammatory response to activate our immune system and to heal. Chronic inflammation, of course, is another matter. When inflammation reaches that stage, it becomes an issue.

Chronic inflammation stimulates an overactive immune system and creates the potential for tissue and organ damage. It is a culprit in almost every disease.

We need both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. But we need them in proper balance. Our ancestors consumed a diet with a balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids of approximately 1:1 to 2:1.

Today, because of the limited sources of omega-3 in our diets, we consume a diet of omega-6 to omega-3 of approximately 30:1! So most of us are walking around in state of chronic inflammation. No wonder there is so much research on EPA and DHA (omega-3 fatty acids) showing their therapeutic benefit on so many illnesses!

With respect to inflammatory bowel disease, EPA- and DHA-rich fish oil works like “natural” cortisone. It can dramatically reduce inflammation without the negative side effects associated with steroids.

Fish oil is safe and natural. You can find fish oil capsules, as well as liquid supplements, that taste quite good. Fish oil supplements should not have an offensive smell when you open the bottle. (A slight smell is okay.) If they do, the capsules may contain impurities that are causing rancidity.

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