Food as Medicine

Risks of a high fatty acid omega-6/omega-3 ratio

Chronic inflammatory diseases and a high omega-6/omega-3 ratio

Years of developing anti-inflammatory drugs have overlooked omega-6 fatty acids as the cause of inflammation

Blood tests to predict chronic inflammatory disease

The rationale of blood tests for omega-3 index and omega-6/omega-3 ratio

Which fatty acid supplements do you take? ● Fatty Acids: These are liquid oils divided into two main types—essential and non-essential fatty acids. ● Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) include omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Our bodies cannot make these, so we need to get them from food or supplements. ● Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Found mostly in seed oils like corn and soybean oil. They contain linoleic acid, which can convert into arachidonic acid in the body. ● Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found primarily in fatty fish like salmon, omega-3 fatty acids contain EPA and DHA, which are beneficial for health. ● Omega-6 and Inflammation: Omega-6 fatty acids produce substances that can cause inflammation, leading to symptoms like pain, fever, swelling, and redness. ● Omega-3 and Anti-Inflammation: Omega-3 fatty acids produce substances that help reduce inflammation in the body. ● Omega-9 Fatty Acids: Unlike omega-3 and omega-6, omega-9 is non-essential, meaning our bodies can make it independently

The Role of Essential Fatty Acids in Health and Disease. ● I am honored to be invited as a Plenary Speaker at the 13th Global Webinar on Traditional and Integrative Medicine, which will take place on November 13-14, 2024. ● The title of my lecture is “The Role of Essential Fatty Acids in Health and Disease.” During the presentation, I will explore the critical functions of omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids, focusing on the importance of the omega-3 index and maintaining an optimal omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. ● In addition, I will emphasize the potential of early dietary interventions to help prevent chronic inflammatory conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. ● For more information, visit the official website: ● https://lnkd.in/g7SS36ey

The rationale for early blood tests is to prevent chronic inflammatory disease due to the high omega-6 /omega-3 ratio. ● Omega-6 is an essential fatty acid that the body cannot synthesize, so it must be obtained through diet. It plays a critical role in forming the cell membrane of every cell in the body. ● Omega-6 exists primarily in two forms: linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. Linoleic acid serves as a precursor to arachidonic acid. Both acids are incorporated into cell membrane phospholipids, contributing to the cell’s fluidity, flexibility, permeability, and immune function. ● For optimal health, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 should ideally range between 4:1 and 1:1. A ratio of 5:1 to 10:1 is considered moderate, while any ratio greater than 10:1 is deemed excessive. ● Studies have shown that most countries exhibit a ratio above 10:1, with Japan being a notable exception, maintaining a healthier balance below this threshold. In the United States, the ratio is notably high, at 21:1. ● Despite being one of the wealthiest countries, the U.S. has the lowest life expectancy among large, affluent nations, and it spends significantly more on healthcare. ● Blood tests that measure the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio could be powerful tools in preventive medicine. They could empower individuals to take control of their health and potentially improve public health outcomes.

Blood Tests for Imbalanced Diet and Chronic Inflammatory Disease. ● Chronic inflammatory diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancer have now overtaken infectious diseases as the leading cause of death. ● These conditions can develop over years or even decades, often without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Once inflammation becomes symptomatic, it is usually too late for simple dietary adjustments to have a strong impact. ● Excessive intake of omega-6 fatty acids (e.g., linoleic and arachidonic acids) has been identified as a significant contributor to chronic inflammation. A well-balanced diet, which includes sufficient omega-3 fatty acids, may help reduce this risk. ● By the time a person reaches 70, it is estimated that he would have consumed between 60 and 135 tons of food, meaning that lifelong dietary habits play a major role in health outcomes. ● Blood tests such as the omega-3 index, omega-6/omega-3 ratio, and hs-CRP are available to measure inflammation and fatty acid imbalances, but they are not widely used in routine medical practice.

Poll results on “Which nutrient contributes to developing chronic inflammatory diseases?” ● Here is the result and explanation of a poll on “Which nutrient contributes to the development of chronic inflammatory disease.” ● There were 881 impressions ● A total of 57 votes were cast ● Of 57 votes, 56% voted for omega-6 fatty acids. This is the correct answer. ● Omega-6 is a pro-inflammatory essential fatty acid. Its metabolite, arachidonic acid, is regarded as the mother of inflammation. When activated by enzymes, it produces prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes. Together, they cause pain, fever, swelling, and redness, the four cardinal signs of inflammation described by Celsus in the 1st century AD. ● Here is a graphic showing the mediators involved in the inflammation process.