Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Benefit your Body with Omega 3s!

February is Heart Health Month! One of the best ways to help your heart is by ensuring intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids! Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish, walnuts, flaxseed, broccoli, cantaloupe, kidney beans, spinach, grape leaves, cauliflower, and canola oil. What exactly do these Omega-3 fats do ("aren't fats BAD for you" is a question I get asked A LOT in my practice)?- heart disease
- stroke
- hypertension
- depression
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- joint pain
- rheumatoid problems
- skin problems
- Alzheimer's disease
oh and they also have been shown to boost the immune system and have anti-inflammatory properties (think NSAIDs or Ibuprofen and other over the counter pain meds).
As you can see, almost EVERY SINGLE PERSON can benefit from Omega-3 fatty acids. Research has shown that the optimal benefit of Omega-3s is when they are in balance with Omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are incredibly prevalent in the typical American diet. The optimal ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 should be in the neighborhood of 4 to 1. Most of us are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY off that mark. The typical American diet has a ratio of around 20 to 1 Omega-6 to Omega-3!
Adding Omega-3 fatty acids to the diet is, in actuality, pretty easy to do. A handful of walnuts have about 2.5 grams of Omega-3s (that is equal to about 3.5 ounces of salmon). Flaxseed is available everywhere and contains fiber as well as Omega-3s. Use olive oil instead of other cooking oils (olive oil also helps promote the good cholesterol HDL). If you have a hard time implementing these foods into your diet, consider an Omega-3 supplement. They can be found at most grocery stores, but make sure you are purchasing them from a reputable source. Fish oil and other supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so sometimes the oil can be contaminated, by purchasing from a reputable source you drastically reduce this risk. Also, talk to your doctor prior to beginning Omega-3 supplementation.
You can help increase your health DRASTICALLY by adding Omega-3 fatty acids into your diet! Prevention is the best practice! Here is an easy (and tasty) salmon recipe:
Teriyaki Salmon
¨Mix a tablespoon of honey, 1/3 cup of orange or pineapple juice, 0ne teaspoon of soy sauce and some crushed ginger or ginger powder
¨Cook the salmon as normal
- grill on cedar plank
-in a skillet with a dash of soy and juice
-in the oven at 350 for 30 mins or until the fish flakes
¨In the middle of the cooking cycle, baste the salmon with a bit of the sauce, brush the rest of the sauce on when the salmon is fully cooked
Serve with a fresh salad (with a sprinkling of walnuts for an extra Omega kick!)
