Are Essential Fatty Acids the Secret to Becoming Healthy?

You’ve heard the hype – probably all your life.  “Fat is bad for you.”

Over the last six decades, the war on fat has been waged using people as the battleground.  It was stripped from your diet, replaced with “low-fat” options that were purported to be “healthier” for you, and demonized as the cause of high cholesterol, heart disease, and obesity.

Just about every media outlet, doctor, university, and health “expert” jumped on board the “kill the fat” wagon…but it was premature!  It also turns out that it was wrong.  Fat is not the enemy.

In those same six decades of “fat propaganda,” developed nations have seen steady spikes in heart disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer, depression, allergy sensitivity, autoimmune disease, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The Role of Essential Fatty Acids in Total Body Health

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are the polyunsaturated fats omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and omega-6 (linoleic acid) that your body requires to live but cannot produce on its own.  They must be consumed through the diet.

The Job of Essential Fatty Acids

• Produce healthy cell membranes and regulate genetic function
• Normalize growth and development
• Transport and break down cholesterol
• Enable proper blood clotting
• Regulate blood pressure as well as contraction and relaxation of arterial walls
• Balance hormone activity, metabolic processes, and thyroid function
• Ensure reproductive health
• Maintain liver and kidney function
• Control inflammation and the immune response
• Support brain and central nervous system health
• Promote hair and skin health
• Assist in balance of moods and behavior disorders

In developed nations, we eat far too many damaged omega-6s in the form of processed foods and refined oils that lead to free radical damage.

Studies have shown that the average American consumes between 14-25 times more omega-6 than omega-3!

A study from The Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health, in Washington, DC estimates in Western diets the ratio is 15:1 – 16.7:1 (omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids).  There is no balance.

The biggest example of this is the fast food explosion.  The fast food industry uses millions of gallons of refined oils in the preparation of the “food” they serve annually.  These oils are full of inflammatory omega-6’s, there no viable healthy essential fatty acids found in them.  They are nutritionally empty at cellular level due to initial processing at the refinery and the high temperatures (usually frying) when used.

Not only do you need both essential fatty acids in the proper ratios.  Most non-industrial populations have an omega-6: omega-3 ratio of 4:1 or 1:4.  

You have to be picky about where you get them.  Organic sources are always best!  Your body loves healthy fats and knows exactly what to do with it for the best results in all your organs and bodily functions.

When you overload your system with refined oils, refined sugars, and processed carbs, your body believes it is under attack.  All those over-processed products are unnatural and your immune system regards them as toxins.

The resulting immune response causes inflammation that, over time, can become chronic.  Scientists now understand that inflammation is a root cause of all serious diseases and the breakdown of human health.

Best Natural Sources of Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids

• Fatty fish such as sardines, herring, salmon, shrimp, cod, and tuna
• Flaxseeds
• Walnuts
• Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, bok choy, and winter squash
• Lean beef
• Spinach, kale, greens, romaine lettuce, and fresh basil
• Raspberries and strawberries

Best Natural Sources of Omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids

• Walnuts, Brazil nuts, and peanuts
• Peanut butter
• Pumpkin and squash seeds
• Safflower seeds
• Coconut oil

As Western society struggles under the epidemics of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and dementia, there are places in the world – small pockets of people – that experience little to none of these health conditions.

Are These The Healthiest People on Earth?  Meet the Kitavans

Researchers studied the long hearty life of the Kitavans of Papau New Guinea extensively and their findings were shocking:   There were virtually no incidences of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, or dementia in the entire native population.

When it comes to consumption of what those of us in the United States consider “daily fare,” the Kitavans little to none of these foods or beverages.  In fact, researchers estimate that the Kitavans consume less than 0.2% of “Western diet” staples.

Missing in Kitava Diet…

• Dairy
• Alcohol
• Coffee or Tea
• Cereal or other processed grains
• Processed oils or margarine
• Refined sugar

Where do their calories come from?  They consume heavy quantities of root vegetables such as yams and potatoes, fruit, and fish.

However, between 30-60% of the Kitavans’ daily caloric intake is derived from a natural saturated fat that is a staple of many tropical nations around the world and has been for millennia.

This healing fat is a carbohydrate that does not result in an insulin spike in your body.  More than 50% of the fat consists of a special acid, scientifically proven to prevent and destroy disease.  The amount found in this incredible organic substance is higher than any other source found in nature.

The Kitavans represent an entire of society of people that are lean, have strong teeth and bones, healthy skin, and aren’t agonized by the epidemics of so-called “civilization!”

You Need Essential Fatty Acids to Live!

Healing fats give the Kitavans their strength and vitality.  They can supercharge your immune system and restore balance to your health that prolonged surges of inflammation – caused by diet and lifestyle – have destroyed.

If you’re ready to improve your brain function, boost your immune system, “bulletproof” your body against sickness and disease, and restore youthful energy and vitality to every aspect of your life, then you need to add essentially fatty acids to your life right now!

 

References:

1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12442909

2. Lindeberg, S and Lundh, B. Apparent absence of stroke and ischaemic heart disease in a traditional Melanesian island: a clinical study in Kitava. J Intern Med, 1993; 233: 269-275

3. Lindeberg, S. Apparent absence of cerebrocardiovascular disease in Melanesians. Risk factors and nutritional considerations – the Kitava Study. 1994, University of Lund.