Omega 6 Fatty Acids
and Sources of Omega 6
Omega 6 Fatty Acids are essential for our health, but too much Omega6 can provide a diet for fatty liver health problems and other health issues. The major sources of Omega6 are polyunsaturated oils such as soybean, safflower, sunflower, corn, and vegetable oils. This has lead to a diet of fatty liver health problems much like you would expect to see in an alcoholic.
What is Omega 6?
These are Essential Fatty Acids or EFAs and must be obtained from your diet.Three important Omega 6 fatty acids are: - LA which is short for Linoleic Acid
- GLA which is short for Gamma-Linolenic Acid
- AA which is short for Arachidonic Acid
Another name for these fatty acids is polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFAs. These polyunsaturated fats play a crucial role in your health and affect your heart and brain functions as well as your growth and development. Omega 6 fatty acids are found abundantly in our Modern and Processed Food Diets.
Too Much Causes Problems
Asthma
Heart Disease
Cancer
Impaired Growth
Autoimmune Disorders
Weight Gain
Learning Disorders
Digestive Problems
Blood Clots
Liver Damage
Hyperactivity
Sterility
Violent Behavior
Most people are suffering from an Out of Balance ratio in favor of Omega-6. For the optimal balance of your body, a ratio of
2 omega-6 to 1 omega-3
or even better a ratio of
1 to 1 is recommended.
A Diet of Fatty Liver Oils Creates Inflammation and More
An excess of omega 6 fats is damaging to your liver and is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This is starting to become a big problem for Americans.Too much omega6 may lead to an overproduction of inflammation producing hormones and cause severe health problems. Another huge problem is that Omega-6 and Omega-3 both compete for a common enzyme in the conversion process. Your body must convert Alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) and Linoleic acid (omega-6) into the more beneficial fatty acids like EPA and GLA, and this will require vital nutrients from your body or diet. So you can see the problems created by too much Omega 6: - Inflammation
- Depletion of vital nutrients (like magnesium)
- Hogging all the conversion enzymes from Omega 3
Free Radicals and More Furthermore, omega-6 polyunsaturated fats have replaced almost all other fats in our baked goods, chips, salad dressing, etc. These oils are highly susceptible to becoming oxidized and rancid - creating loads of free radicals and other unpleasantries like trans fats.
Prime Sources of Omega 6
Animal Products High in Omega-6:
Grain-Fed Meats, Grain-Fed Organ Meats, Grain-Fed Dairy Products, Factory Eggs
Oils High in Omega-6:
Soybean, Safflower, Sunflower Seed, Corn, Sesame Oil, Peanut Oil
High Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio:
Hazelnuts, Cashews, Brazil Nuts, Almonds, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Pine Nuts, Peanuts, Pistachios
Better Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio:
English Walnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Black Walnuts, Pecans, Hemp Seed Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Avocado Oil
Oils with Healthy Omega-6 (GLA)
Primrose Oil, Borage Oil, Black Currant Seed Oil, Hemp Seed Oil
Go to Omega3 Fatty Acids
Return from Omega 6 Fatty Acids to Healthy Fats
Return from Omega 6 Fatty Acids to Healthy Foods
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