There are two types of essential fatty acids that are commonly talked about: omega-3′s and omega-6′s. Both of these essential fatty acids are consumed through food sources, and there are benefits and reasons why people need to consume both of them. It is also important that there is a balance between these two fatty acids, and many people have high levels of omega-6 fatty acids and low levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
Why Essential Fatty Acids are Necessary
One of the main reasons that essential fatty acids are needed is to reduce inflammation in the body. Now, when most people think about inflammation their mind goes to health conditions that result from acute inflammation such as sore muscles or a stubbed toe. But, chronic inflammation can actually occur throughout the body without a person immediately realizing that the problem is occurring.
When chronic inflammation is present, it can negatively affect almost every function of the body. The body starts to send out signals that something needs to be fixed, which in turn triggers the immune system to act. Most of the time immune function is good, but in the case of chronic inflammation the immune system is over-stimulated and it can result in the body attacking itself.
So, in order to reduce chronic inflammation, it is necessary to consume supplements such as fermented cod liver oil because they contain the essential fatty acids that are needed to keep the inflammation under control.
Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids
There are a few natural sources of omega-3 essential fatty acids, such as fermented cod liver oil, flax seeds, and walnuts. Most people are lacking in omega-3 essential fatty acids though because they don’t get enough of these fatty acids through their food sources.
Omega-3 essential fatty acids are particularly important because they can actually block the process of chronic inflammation within the body. When you are getting omega-3 fatty acids in your diet every day, the DHA and EPA work to stop the inflammation by blocking the pathways to the cells. Studies found that Omega-3 is good for a healthy heart, learn more about it by clicking here.
Omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids
These fatty acids are found in foods with hydrogenated oils, such as meat, vegetable oils, eggs, and nuts. The problem is that hydrogenated oils are often added to processed foods and fast food, and our modern diet consists of large amounts of these unhealthy foods.
As people eat higher amounts of omega-6 essential fatty acids, the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids gets even worse… and this imbalance leads to a host of diseases such as stroke, heart attack, inflammation, obesity, arthritis, osteoporosis, and cancer.
Balancing Omega-3′s and Omega-6′s
The optimal ratio of essential fatty acid consumption is a 4:1 ratio of 4 parts omega-6′s and 1 part omega-3′s. But, most people consume at least 10 – 30 times more omega-6′s compared to omega-3′s, which may be one of the reasons why the rates of illness and disease are rapidly increasing.
Because our modern diet provides us with so many sources of omega-6 fatty acids, many people actually need to focus on limiting their omega-6 intake and increasing their omega-3 consumption. Cod liver oil is one of the best sources of omega-3 essential fatty acids because it is a concentrated form of omega-3′s.
Even though there are other sources of omega-3′s that can be considered, cod liver oil is better than all of the other sources because of the fact that it has many other nutritional benefits that can be gained. In addition to the high levels of omega-3′s, fermented cod liver oil also provides high levels of vitamins A, D, and E, along with countless other micronutrients. Those micronutrients are both known and unknown, which means that the nutritional elements cannot be replicated exactly in a synthetic form.
Nutrient Deficiencies in an Over-Fed World
It is surprising to consider the fact that a society suffering from obesity problems may also be dealing with nutrient deficiencies, and the truth is that so many of the modern foods are lacking in the nutrients that are necessary for optimal health. These deficiencies lead to many different health problems, and the only real solution to treating those health problems is by treating the root of the problem: by adding in the nutrients that are lacking in a person’s diet.
When someone chooses to take fermented cod liver oil on a daily basis, they will be getting high levels of omega-3 essential fatty acids along with other important nutrients to improve their overall health and help them to prevent disease.
Resources:
How do Omega-3 Fatty Acids Work?, PrecisionNutrition.com
Cod Liver Oil: The Number One Superfood, Weston A. Price Foundation
Update of Cod Liver Oil Manufacture, Weston A. Price Foundation
Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations, Weston A. Price Foundation
