What I learned from Dr. Luigi Gratton, M.D. Vice President of Medical Affairs & Education at Herbalife
Omega-3 and omega-6 are types of essential fatty acids – meaning we cannot make them on our own and have to obtain them from our diet. In modern diets, there are few sources of omega-3 fatty acids, mainly the fat of cold water fish such as salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, black cod, and bluefish. By contrast, sources of omega-6 fatty acids are numerous in modern diets. They are used in most of the snack foods, cookies, crackers, sweets as well as in fast food.
When Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are consumed they construct hormones in the body. In general, the hormones from each have opposite effects. Those from omega-6 fatty acids tend to increase inflammation, while those from omega-3 fatty acids decrease those functions. Both families of hormones must be in balance to maintain optimum health.
Many nutrition experts believe that before we relied so heavily on processed foods, humans consumed omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in roughly equal amounts. Unfortunately, most North Americans and Europeans now get far too much of the omega-6s and not enough of the omega-3s. In fact, its now estimated that we consume (on average) a 12:1 ratio of Omega 6 vs. Omega 3.
The imbalance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may explain the rise of such diseases as asthma, coronary heart disease, many forms of cancer, obesity, autoimmunity and neurodegenerative diseases, all of which are believed to stem from inflammation in the body. Bringing the fats into proper proportion (as close to 1:1 ratio) may actually relieve those conditions. This can certainly be difficult with out modern food supply and many doctors and health practitioners recommend taking an Omega-3 supplement.
Personally, I try to eat fatty fish at least once or twice a week and I take Core Complex with CoQ10 Plus as a daily supplement. Each packet contains 2 brown softgels of plant sterols and B vitamins; 1 orange CoQ10 Plus softgel; 1 burgundy Tri-Shield® softgel with 100% pure Neptune Krill Oil (NKO®†); and 2 gold Herbalifeline® fish oil softgels with omega-3 fatty acids.
Hope this helps!
