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Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
All Omega Fats Not Created Equal, One is Detrimental
to Health, Says New Book
Ultimate Omega-3 Diet warns of difference between
omega-3 and omega-6
June 20, 2007 – Report after report tells Americans
how they can improve their health by consuming more omega-3 fatty
acids, most often found in certain fish. But, a new book warns, not all
omega fats are healthy and too many people are loading up on omega-6
fats that contribute to the problems senior citizens fear most -
Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, heart attacks, strokes, arthritis, vision
disorders, learning disorders, PMS, cancer, mood disorders, stress, and
insulin resistance.
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Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements |
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The average consumer is probably unaware that the
“beneficial” foods you’re eating may in fact cancel out omega-3 fats
that are good for you, according to a new book published this month, The
Ultimate Omega-3 Diet, by award-winning dietician Evelyn Tribole, M.S.,
RD.
The book explains how to identify the key sources
of omega-3 and omega-6 fats, practical ways to incorporate healthy fats
into your diet, and master tricky food label listings.
There’s a severe omega fat imbalance in this
country, according to Tribole. Whether a person is a health-conscious
eater or junk food connoisseur, the typical American is suffering from
an omega-3 fat deficiency, in spite of loading up on foods that purport
to be high in good fats.
Foods, labels, packaging, TV commercials and
articles often contain or push misleading information about omega-3s,
the so-called “healthy fats,” and the benefits of low-carb, high-fat
diets.
Right now, the omega landscape is so hard to
navigate that “many people don’t even know what an omega-6 fat is,”
writes Tribole, “including many of the employees of food companies I
called requesting this information.”
In fact, the omega-6 imbalance remains so far under
the radar that there are no consumer advocates or food police groups
waging war against omega-6s in the American diet, says Tribole.
Questions and Answers with Tribole:
What was the biggest surprise you found in
researching your book?
There are two conflicting nutrient content claims
for omega-3 fats, which was allowed through a loophole in federal food
labeling law. How this translates for you, the consumer, for example, is
that a food labeled “excellent source” of omega-3 fats might provide 32
or 130 milligrams of omega-3 per serving. That’s well below the
recommended amounts.
How much omega-3 fats do we really need in
our diets?
We need to consume a minimum of 650 milligrams of
the omega-3s found in fish (EPA and DHA), and 2200 milligrams of the
omega-3 from plants (ALA).
What is an omega-6 fat?
Omega-6 fats are known as “heart-healthy” fats
because they are in vegetable oils, which are high polyunsaturated fats.
They’re found in corn oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil,
sunflower oil, and products that include those oils, like mayonnaise,
margarine, and salad dressing.
What types of olive oils should you use in
cooking?
Olive Oil. It’s the lowest omega-6 fat in vegetable
oil. Canola oil is also low in omega-6.
If Americans cut down on their omega-6 fats,
wouldn’t that create another deficiency?
No. It would be very hard to create a deficiency
even on a low-fat diet. For example, just two slices of plain whole
wheat bread provides an adequate amount of omega-6 fat. It’s similar to
the mineral, sodium. It’s a nutrient we require, but in excess it
becomes a problem.
 Tribole is an award-winning dietician and the
author of many books, including Healthy Homestyle Cooking, which has
sold more than a million copies, and Intuitive Eating. She was a
contributing editor to Shape Magazine for 11 years, has appeared on
“Good Morning America,” “Today,” CNN, and FOX News, and has been
featured in USA Today, Prevention, People, and other national
publications. A former spokesperson for the American Dietetic
Association, she has a nutrition counseling practice in Irvine,
California.
Book highlights:
● Learn the omega-3 and omega-6 content of more
than 900 foods
● Read food labels to identify hidden omega-6 fats found in many foods
● Navigate the often confusing supplements aisle
● Discover delicious omega-3 rich foods that are right in your
supermarket
● Cook mouthwatering meals using the 40 included recipes and meal
plans
● Pack in omega-3s even when eating out
Using practical strategies, you can naturally
elevate your mood, boost your body’s disease-prevention power, and
improve your overall health – the omega way.
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