You have probably heard about Omega-3s, about the importance of good fats for our health. But really, how important is it? Sometimes, I think of my grandparents who lived in Fez, Morocco and in Tehran, Iran who didn’t worry about such things. They just ate what their parents ate and didn’t think about food as we do. Yet 3 out of four lived until their nineties!
The reality is, our food has changed a lot and lowered in quality. We have no choice but to care about nutrition to stay in good health.
Omega-3s, the basics
Omega-3s fatty acids are essential nutrients made of DHA -docosahexaenoic acid, EPA -eicosapentaenoic acid, and ALA -alpha-linolenic acid. They are found in flaxseeds, fish (particularly in fatty fish), seafood, chia seeds, walnuts and fish roe (eggs), and spinach. EPA and DHA come from animal sources when ALA comes from plant sources.
Omega-3s for health
What is important is the Omega-3/Omega-6 ratio in our system. To put it simply, Omega-6s are the bad oils that cause inflammation and Omega-3s are the good oils that lower inflammation -which is the cause of most diseases from Asthma to arthritis- Crohn’s, cancer, etc, reduce blood fat, fight Alzheimer, ADHD, dementia and help the development of babies’ neurological systems. Fish oils are very important for a healthy pregnancy.
Omega-6s are found in many foods but are high in grains (wheat, rice, oats, corn) and <strong%
