BACKGROUND
- Omegas 6 and 3 are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. We cannot produce them in our bodies so we must get them for dietary sources.
- Omega 6 are found in maize, which is itself consumed in large quantities by the farmed animals eaten by humans (half of our lipid intake comes from meat and dairy products).
- Omega 3 are mainly present in grass, linseed, rapeseed and fatty fish such as salmon, sardine or mackerel.
- In the past 40 years, the amount of omega 6 consumed has increased 250% while omega 3 consumption has decreased by 40%, thus destabilizing the omega 6/omega 3 ratio when compared with the recommended intakes.
- The French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) recommends an omega 6 to omega 3 ratio of 5:1. Actual consumption in France is 15:1. The USA ratio can reach 40:1.
NEW RESEARCH
- Researchers exposed several generations of mice to a “Western-like” diet to assess the consequences of such a lipid environment.
- Results:
1. Gradual increase in fat mass over several generations.
2. Onset of metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance (pre-diabetes).
3. Increased activation of inflammatory genes involved in obesity.
BOTTOM LINE
- Unbalance between omega 6 and 3 fatty acids promotes obesity and may have other serious long-term effects on human health.
REFERENCES:
Massiera et al. A Western-like fat diet is sufficient to induce a gradual enhancement in fat mass over generations. The Journal of Lipid Research, 2010; 51 (8): 2352 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.M006866
Photo: Omega 3-rich mackerel