by John Phillip

Created on: March 18, 2010   Last Updated: March 25, 2010

Omega-3 fatty acids have become essential to our health, as they have been a part of our diet through throughout evolution. Our ancestors ate from many plant and animal food sources which provided abundant quantities of Omega-3 oils in the diet. Over time these biologically significant fatty acids became incorporated into our cellular structure, and today provide an integral component in cell wall development and regeneration. Insufficient levels of Omega-3 fats have been implicated in a wide variety of diseases from cancer, cardiovascular disease and inflammatory conditions. Supplementation has been demonstrated to be preventative and act as a treatment to a growing number of health conditions.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fats: The Controversy

There are two types of Omega-series fats which are essential to human health, and must be obtained through diet or supplementation. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats are both required building blocks our bodies use to synthesize cellular structures. Omega-3 fats are the preferred building material for cell walls, especially in the brain. When sufficient Omega-3 is unavailable, especially during fetal development, the body is forced to use sub-standard fat components which don’t have the same chemical properties. Glucose and oxygen are unable to freely pass through the cell wall leading to potential pre-cancerous conditions. Our earliest ancestors consumed both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats in a ratio, due to the high consumption of fish and grass-fed animals and vegetarian sources. Today’s diet is extremely high in Omega-6 oils, and the health-destroying trans-fats which are prevalent in most of the fast, processed foods we eat. Statistics indicate that most people consume an Omega 6:3 ratio between20:1 and 50:1. This imbalance leads to a systemic inflammatory condition, and ultimately to heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and a host of conditions now known to be caused by inflammation. Over 90% of today’s Western diet consists of highly refined processed foods which have been stripped of any highly perishable Omega-3 fats. Omega-6 fats are used by food manufacturers because of their long shelf life and the fact that they are inexpensive to produce. Excessive Omega-6 fats in the diet are a leading, totally preventable cause of many health conditions today.

Omega-3 Fat DHA and Brain Cancer

Omega-3 fatty acids are composed of two chemical structures known as EPA and DHA. While both are critical to good health,

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