Why is Omega-3 Supplementation a Source of Good Health?

In 1923, essential fatty acids were discovered and called vitamin F, a term that has long since fallen out of use.

Among essential fatty acids, two molecules have opposing effects on the body:

Omega-3 and Omega-6

• Omega-3, primarily sourced from seafood
• Omega-6, sourced from animal products, oils, and vegetable fats

Opposing but complementary actions:

• While omega-3 promotes the vasodilation of blood vessels, omega-6 is vasoconstrictive.
• Omega-3 thins the blood, whereas omega-6 promotes blood coagulation.
• Omega-6 promotes inflammation, whereas omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory.

The harmful conflict to good health arises from the imbalance of the Omega-3/Omega-6 ratio, favoring an excess of omega-6.

This imbalance justifies the daily intake of omega-3.

Omega-6, through their actions on blood vessels and coagulation, favor the formation of blood clots in the vessels, which are the main causes of heart attacks, high blood pressure, and strokes.

Their pro-inflammatory action also promotes silent inflammations that lead to diseases of our civilization, such as heart attacks, strokes, allergies, dementia, or cancer.

An excess of omega-6: a phenomenon of civilization

Changes in the dietary habits of populations and the transformation of animal feed have significantly contributed to the imbalance of the omega-3/omega-6 ratio, favoring an excess of omega-6 and a deficiency in omega-3, hence the need and justification for omega-3 supplementation.

• What are the sources of excess omega-6?

Primarily, meat from farmed animals whose feed is based on flour and soy oil, which is rich in omega-6, exceeding 50% of our body's needs.

Another source in our diet is processed foods such as ready-made meals and bakery products rich in soy, sunflower, and corn oils.

Main foods:

• Meat and deli meats
• Dairy products, eggs
• Oils and vegetable fats

• How to increase our omega-3 consumption?

By eliminating processed foods and reducing our consumption of meat and deli meats.

By consuming wild fish rich in omega-3, excluding farmed fish, which are fed flour rich in omega-6.

Are these recommendations compatible with modern urban life? Not easily. A study of 30,000 individual fatty acid analyses demonstrated that an intake of at least 2 grams per day of omega-3 is necessary to balance the omega-3/omega-6 ratio, equivalent to 100 grams of herring, 250 grams of salmon, or even 3,000 grams of cod per day. Since it is difficult to consume this much fish daily, omega-3 supplementation in the form of dietary supplements is necessary.

Let's recall the effects of an excess of omega-6:

Fatty acids that promote vasoconstriction and the risk of heart attacks

Promote coagulation: thrombosis, phlebitis, pulmonary embolism

Promote low-grade inflammation, leading to vascular and brain diseases, allergies, cancer

IF OMEGA-3 AND OMEGA-6 ARE ESSENTIAL FOR LIFE, IT IS THE IMBALANCE OF THE OMEGA-3/OMEGA-6 RATIO THAT IS HARMFUL.