Omega-3 oils are called “fish oils” because fish are the most abundant source. However, all animals, including humans, will make their own when healthy and properly fed.
Certain omega-6 oils are also essential but dominated by those coming from corn, wheat, and other commodity plants. More on the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 below.
Cows, fish and other animals were good sources of omega-3 oils when their food was green (grass, leaves) and not polluted, 100 years ago. Now most animals, including cows, chickens and farmed fish are fed corn which is high in omega-6, not omega-3 oils. This imbalance has serious health consequences that harm the brain, heart, hormone and immune system, joints, and detoxification processes. Since 95% of the world population is omega-3 deficient, this contributes to the epidemics of anxiety, depression, ADHD, diabetes and thyroid disease, pain, heart disease and other conditions. People just can’t feel good in their brains, bodies, and physical/emotional/spiritual relationships without sufficient omega-3 oils. (If you wish to see how EFAs work, click here.).
The typical diet now has 10 times more omega-6 than omega-3 compared to 100 years ago. Since these oils compete for the enzymes in our cells, the little omega-3s that we have are pushed off the bus by the omega-6s.
The ideal source of omega-3 oils is to make them within our bodies from plant-based foods. However, due to our world-wide deficiencies of several critical nutrients (such as minerals) and toxicities, only 5% of the population can accomplish this. These are the people that are successful vegans or vegetarians. The rest of us need to supplement with omega-3 oils or optimal health cannot be achieved by any other means.
The most cost-effective safe source of omega-3 oils at present come from fish livers that has been distilled to remove toxins such as PCBs, lead and mercury. For those who do not eat fish, there are alternatives, but taking an equivalent amount of these omega-3 supplements could cost up to 10 times more, $200 per month vs approximately $25 per month for the best cost-effective brands.
Dosing of omega-3’s must be individualized, just as with any remedy. Blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol need to measured on a regular basis in order to verify and monitor the response. Supplement levels can vary dramatically between individuals, and even within the same individual over time.
To understand how we test for EFA’s, click here .
Specific brands of o3 and o6 have concentrated the oils to make them smaller and easier to take.
Big Pharma has seen the writing on the wall regarding the need for omega-3 oils and have fabricated their own patented forms by altering the oils. These products include Lovaza and Vascepa.
There have been scattered reports on negative concerns about omega-3’s including rancidity and risk of atrial fibrillation. However the vast majority of articles, and my experience with thousands of omega-3 deficient patients clearly supports the need. For patients/members, a valuable podcast on omega-3’s for brain health (and other concerns) is below.
