Posts Tagged ‘disease’

Omega 6 Bad!…Omega 3 Good!!!

August 7th, 2008
I'll take one of the pink ones...they're haddock flavored

mmmmm, fish

Anthropological research suggests that our ancestors thrived on a diet with an Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio of approximately 1:1.

Today, our Western diet, has skewed that ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA) to between 15:1 and 16.7:1.

So what does that mean?

The Science

Current research tells us that Omega-6 fatty acids are the cause of many of our Western diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The researchers believe this for a few reasons.

1.    Because of how Omega-6 fatty acids are broken down by your body, they are more likely than the Omega-3s to produce pro-inflammatory ‘eicosanoids‘. In fact, many of the drugs used to treat and manage these conditions work by blocking the effects of the potent Omega−6 fat, Arachidonic Acid,

That’s Bad.

2.    The eicosanoids made from Omega-3 fatty acids are mainly anti-inflammatory.

That’s Good

3.    Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids have to compete with each other in order for them to be transformed from fatty acids into eicosanoids. So, when the ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 was 1:1, it was a fair fight. Now that it is 15 or 16:1, the Omega-6s win the fight and the result is increased inflammation and disease.

That’s Very Bad.

So What Do I Do?

Increase your consumption of Omega-3 foods and supplements and reduce your consumption of Omega-6 foods and supplements.

It would also not be a bad idea to discuss this plan with your doctor. Especially if you are taking drugs for any condition that may be affected by Omega-3s and Omega-6s.

Omega-3 Foods & Supplements

Additional foods high in Omega-6 from NutritionData.com

Omega-6 Foods & Supplements

It’s not hard to find foods high in Omega-6 in our Western diet. Here are some of the worst offenders.

  • Cooking Oils – sunflower, safflower, corn, cottonseed, and soybean
  • Egg yolks
  • Grain fed meats, particularly organ meats
  • Farm raised fish
  • All manner of processed foods

Additional foods high in Omega-6 from NutritionData.com

Keep in mind, Omega-6 is not all bad. The problem is that due to the type of foods we eat, we have thrown the balance between Omega-6 and Omega-3 completely out of whack.

What Happens If I Take My Fish Oils?

  • You may reduce your risk of the eye disease – age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
  • You may reduce your risk of asthma and allergies.
  • You may reduce your risk of clogged arteries, even if you have other risk factors for heart disease.
  • You may prevent diabetic complications such as: myocardial infarction and stroke due to atherosclerosis, retinopathy, end-stage renal disease, debilitating neuropathies, poor wound healing, enhanced risk of infection, and periodontal disease.
  • You may reduce your risk of memory loss and stroke in your old age.
  • You may improve your cognition and memory while helping to fight against such mental disorders as depression and mood disorders, schizophrenia, and dementia.

What Happens If I Don’t

The opposite of above.

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Health Promotion v.s Disease Prevention

July 10th, 2008

In an article printed in the BMJ (BMJ 2008;337:a399), Dr. Butler et al, are presenting a theory that is so revolutionary, so unbelievably insightful and paradigm shattering that it may signal an evolutionary shift in how medicine will be practiced for the next millenium:

The promotion of health and longevity may be more successful at preventing disease and improving both the quality and quantity of our lives than attacking individual diseases.

I like to call this the “An Apple a Day keeps the Doctor Away” theory.

But seriously folks, the authors of this study believe that a shift towards health promotion and disease prevention could pay off with social, economic and health benefits for present and future generations. We’re talking improved quality and duration of life. It’s a win-win.

In the study, they also note that since we all have biochemical mechanisms that influence how quickly we age, and that through lifestyle changes or possibly even genetic alteration, it is possible to extend lifespan by postponing or even eliminating (if Freddie Mercury is correct) aging-related processes and diseases.

As expected, research into how lifestyle interventions, such as exercise and improved nutrition, may provide us with the location of theis fountain of youth is ongoing.

Fingers crossed everybody.

But for now, turn your head and cough or click here and here and here.

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Chronic Disease and a New Approach to Healthcare

May 22nd, 2008

The World Health Organization reports that “chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are by far the leading cause of mortality in the world, representing 60% of all deaths”.

WHO data also shows that the major risk factors for chronic disease are an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and tobacco use.

The WHO also claims that if the major risk factors for chronic disease were eliminated, at least 80% of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes would be prevented; and 40% of cancer would be prevented.

However, without action, 17 million people will die prematurely this year from a chronic disease.

17 million people dying from diseases caused by their own lifestyles.

Maybe a tad over the top; but you get my point.

In a recent press release, the Ontario Health Quality Council reported that:

  • Ontario is failing to meet the chronic disease challenge: nearly 8,000 lives could be saved annually and the quality of life improved for many more by better managing chronic disease.
  • 1-in-3 Ontarians suffers from chronic disease. Eighty percent of Ontarians over 65 have at least one chronic disease and 70 percent of these have two or more.
  • Fewer than half (47%) of Ontarians with diabetes have their blood sugar under control and just 28% have their blood pressure under control.

This is coming from one of the richest provinces in a country with one of the world’s highest Health Adjusted Life Expectancies (HALE).

So what does the Ontario Health Quality Council suggest to combat chronic diseases?

  • Improve patient access to doctors
  • Improve patient access to medical tests/scans
  • Implement a province-wide electronic patient/doctor information system
  • Citizens should strive to live a healthy lifestyle

Groundbreaking ideas… More doctors, more money, more tests, more money, more technology, more money, and live a healthy lifestyle.

Not very original – spend taxpayer dollars and tell them what they already know to be true – smoking is bad for your health, being obese is bad for your health, stress is bad for your health, etc.

Is there a Solution?

Instead of spending more taxpayer dollars on doctors, MRIs and health promotion commercials (Like this ,this, this) , how about we offer taxpayers who live a ‘healthy’ lifestyle a reduction in income taxes?

Behavior modification through reward rather than punishment.

Now if only we could create a global lobby group to push this agenda to our respective governments.

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If you are interested in a better way to eat, click here or here or here.

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