What about the Omega-3 and Omega-6 imbalance?
Because of their wide-ranging roles, virtually every area of the human body is susceptible to problems if the balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 becomes out of kilter. How extreme the imbalance needs to be before problems are felt is not yet known for sure and in practice it will probably vary from one person to the next.
Simple measures can make a big difference. Basic advice is:
- Cut down on fried foods and use olive oil (a monounsaturated fat) for cooking and in salad dressings.
- Use spreads sparingly. Although it is a saturated fat, a little butter on bread is arguably better for you than soft margarines (made from sunflower, safflower or soya).
- Reduce consumption of processed foods as these are normally high in saturated or Omega-6 fats.
- Increase consumption (two meals a week) of oil-rich fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, trout, herring, pilchards, fresh (not canned) tuna or take a fish or cod liver oil supplement daily. These supplements are now available in a variety of 'strengths'.
