Obesity rates are still increasing. New reports have shown that obesity can be fought by including more omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in diet.
Scientist now believe, that including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in diets is more effective way to lower obesity rates and improve general health of the population, than following other nutrition policies. The current nutrition plans focus on the amount of calories in the diet. Scientists have concluded that this plan has failed over the past years.
Technological development in modern farming has given a chance to change the ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the diet. For example, vegetable oils (sunflower or corn oil) now have a higher omega-6 fatty acid rate than ever. Also animal farmers now use grains rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which result in meat, dairy products and eggs that have high levels of omega-6 fatty acid.
Human body needs sufficient amount of both fatty acids for proper functioning of the body. Both omega-3 and omega-6 dietary intake should be equal. Now the typical diet includes unbalanced levels of these fatty acids- 16:1.
It is now being discussed, that the Western diet should decrease the amount of omega-6 and increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acid to equal amounts. That can be done by using cooking oils rich in omega-3 fatty acid and eating more fish than meat.
Oils rich in omega-3 are flaxseed, canola, perilla, walnut and chia oils. The oils that are currently used- corn, sunflower, soy bean oil contain a lot of omega-6 fatty acids. Seafood also is very rich in omega-3, especially fish the fatty fish like salmon, tuna and macrel.
For those who cannot introduce enough fish in their diet and want to keep meat and dairy in their diets need to look for products that are high in omega-3. Choosing organic meat and dairy from grass fed animals can do the trick. Recent studies have shown that organic products contain more omega-3 fatty acids than their non-organic equivalents.
Very good sources for omega-3 are nuts, like walnuts and almonds, and also seeds, like chia and pumpkin seeds. Other sources of omega-3 are vegetables, such as spinach, kale and Brussels sprouts, that also have many other health benefits.
