Fitness

Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Importance, Benefits, Uses and Side Effects.

Fatty acids are organic compounds composed of carbon chains of varying lengths, with an acid group on one end and hydrogen bound to all the carbons of the chain. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are those that are necessary for health, but cannot be synthesized by the body.
The typical American diet tends to contain 14 – 25 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids. The Mediterranean diet, on the other hand, has a healthier balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Omega 3 fatty acids actually reduce inflammation and Omegas 6s increase inflammation, it’s important to have a balanced diet to offset Omega 6 inflammatory affects.
Imbalance between the intakes of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids causes inflammation if the intake of Omega-6 is more than Omega-3.
This dietary imbalance may lead to the rise of diseases as :
- asthma
- coronary heart disease
- many forms of cancer
- autoimmunity and neurodegenerative diseases, all of which are believed to stem from inflammation in the body.
- obesity
- depression
- dyslexia
- hyperactivity and even a tendency toward violence.
Cut down on omega-6 levels by reducing consumption of processed and fast foods and polyunsaturated vegetable oils. At home, use extra virgin olive oil for cooking and in salad dressings.

Dietary Sources:
Sources of omega-6 fatty acids are numerous in modern diets.
- Olive Oil
- Wheatgerm
- Grapeseeds
- Pistachios
- Sesame Oil
- Hempseed Oil
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Chia Seed Oil
- Safflower Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Cottonseed Oil
- Raw Nuts & Seeds

Uses and Benefits of Omega-6 Fatty acids

- Taking gamma linolenic acid (GLA) for 6 months or more may reduce symptoms of nerve pain in people with diabetic neuropathy.
- Some studies have shown that taking primrose oil helps reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Children with Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have lower levels of EFAs, both omega-6s and omega-3s. EFAs are important to normal brain and behavioral function.
- GLA may help reduce high blood pressure, either alone or in combination with omega-3 fatty acids.
- Evening primrose oil may reduce breast pain and tenderness in people with cyclic mastalgia.

| More

If you found this post informative, why not sign up to receive new posts ?
It's simple, and free, and you can even opt to receive by email:
Subscribe in a reader
Subscribe to Good Health Tips by Email

Bring aerobics safely into your daily life to live healthy.

Aerobic means “with oxygen,” and it refers to activities of moderate intensity performed for an extended period of time. Aerobics are particularly helpful for weight control. Physical activity helps to control your weight by using excess calories that otherwise would be stored as fat. The number of calories you eat and use each day regulates your body weight. Everything you eat contains calories, and everything you do uses calories, including sleeping, breathing, and digesting food. Any physical activity in addition to what you normally do will use extra calories.
Following a regular aerobics program gives you a sense of commitment and control – two positive mental attitudes that help counteract stress. Aerobics also relax tense muscles, thereby relieving your body’s stress response. Aerobic exercise is any extended activity that makes you breathe hard while using the large muscle groups at a regular, even pace.

Health Benefits of Aerobics

- Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart and lungs, making breathing more efficient and improving the efficiency of the heart.
- Aerobic exercise tones muscles throughout the body, which can help reduce blood pressure.
- People who get regular aerobic exercise consume more oxygen and pump more blood with each beat.
- Blood supply to the muscles is increased, as well as their ability to use oxygen.
- Heart rate and blood pressure are lower in people who get regular aerobic exercise.
- HDL cholesterol (that’s the good stuff) is increased.
- Triglycerides in the blood—a risk factor for heart disease— are decreased.
- Body fat and weight can both be reduced by getting an hour of aerobic exercise a few times a week.
- Glucose tolerance and insulin resistance improve in those who regularly exercise, reducing the risk of diabetes.
- Mitochondria inside the muscle increase in number and activity. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of your cells. They do all the heavy-duty work to keep you moving.

Bring aerobics safely into your daily life

- Maintain a comfortable pace.
- Increase your workout in stages to get the most benefits with the fewest risks.
- Select activities that fit your personality and have an element of fun.
- Plan a workout schedule. To gain the most health benefits it is important to exercise as regularly as possible.
- Maximize your safety and comfort.
- Challenge yourself.
- Whether your goal is to control your weight or just to feel healthier, becoming physically active is a step in the right direction.

What is osteoporosis and what are the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis ?

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and loss of bone tissue that may lead to weak and fragile bones. Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced, bone micro architecture is disrupted, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered.
Osteoporosis is most common in women after menopause, when it is called postmenopausal osteoporosis, but may also develop in men.

Causes of Osteoporosis

- Osteoporosis occurs when there is an imbalance between new bone formation and old bone resorption.
- The body may fail to form enough new bone, or too much old bone may be reabsorbed, or both.
- The leading cause of osteoporosis is a lack of certain hormones, particularly estrogen in women and androgen in men.
- Other factors that may contribute to bone loss in this age group include inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, lack of weight-bearing exercise, and other age-related changes in endocrine functions.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can be present without any symptoms for decades because osteoporosis doesn’t cause symptoms until bone fractures. he symptom associated with osteoporotic fractures usually is pain; the location of the pain depends on the location of the fracture.

Risk factors of Osteoporosis

- Getting older.
- Being small and thin.
- Having a family history of osteoporosis.
- Taking certain medicines.
- Being a white or Asian woman.
- Having osteopenia, which is low bone mass.
- Cigarette smoking, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, low amounts of calcium in the diet, heavy alcohol consumption, inactive lifestyle, and use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids and anticonvulsants, are also risk factors.
- Rheumatoid arthritis itself is a risk factor for osteoporosis.

Facts and Figures

- Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for 44 million Americans, 68 percent of whom are women.
- One out of every two women and one in four men age 50 and older will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.
- Osteoporosis can strike at any age.
- Osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually, including approximately 300,000 hip fractures, 700,000 vertebral fractures, 250,000 wrist fractures, and more than 300,000 fractures at other sites.