Omega 3 (Fish oils)
The modern Western diet has a real deficit of Omega 3 fatty acids. Today we lead generally sedentary lives, not the active hunter-gatherer lifestyle our genetics were designed for. The average diet today is high in saturated foods, trans fats, and foods rich in grains and refined sugars. Our modern diet is also poor in omega-3 fatty acids. (honestly how much fish do you eat?, not fish and chips, good quality fish from non-polluted mercury filled waters!!)
This combination of sedentary life and our modern diet is the prime cause for our epidemic of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and coronary heart disease.
So why are Fish oils Omega 3’s so very very important?
Before we answer this question, first we need to understand that being over weight / being obese (A chronic disease) is actually the body being in an inflamed state, due to the adipose tissue (fat tissue) becoming swollen (beer belly, big hips, big bum) and producing TNF IL6 which generate PRO inflammatory cytokines (small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by the glial cells of the nervous system and by numerous cells of the immune system, these are the guys that make you feel ill)
Not only will we feel the psychological effects (do you really know how being well feels) of additional weight but we in turn will have a higher incidence of diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer (prostate, colon and breast) and arthritis. To top that off engorged fat cells release more inflammatory proteins in our body that normal fat cells do. That means the more overweight you are the more inflammation your body produces. As a result this leads to more degenerative conditions and pain, such as, fibromyalgia, autoimmune conditions, arthritis, cancers and migraines.
Renowned scientist, Dr. Nigel Plummer, says even depression is linked to inflammation and toxins crossing the blood brain barrier. Inflammation in the blood vessels causes an increase in the incidence of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attack and strokes. In light of this information it makes sense why most often heavier people have a much higher risk of certain diseases. So how can we combat this epidemic and lose weight and consequently reduce the size of fat cells?
Well, we need to detox first by removing all the harmful toxins as much as you can from your diet and surroundings.
GET SOME EXERCISE, EAT, DRINK and LIVE Clean.
Go Organic, eat a variety of foods (50% raw), fresh veg and fruit in abundance, drink filtered water and stop eating processed rubbish!!
and yes of course you’ve got it!! take Omega-3’s, due to their key components both DHA and EPA having the following effect on the body:
DHA: An Omega-3 fatty acid, known for its importance for healthy brain function and cardio protection.
EPA: An Omega-3 fatty acid that helps regulate the pro-inflammatory effects of Omega-6 fats, helping reduce the pain of several agerelated diseases like arthritis.
Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammation:
Fish oil plus gamma linolenic acid (GLA) increase’s the body’s production of good eicosanoids (Anti-Inflammotaries). Therefore taking Omega 3’s will give you an increase in these eicosanoids which will help in the reduction of cytokines (these little buggers are what make you feel ill), they will down regulate the production of arachidonic acid (Bad eicosandoids, this flammatory regulator is PRO-inflammation, BAD news), help smooth out the heart rymthm, reduce inflammation, and will cause the enhanced release of growth hormone from the pituatary gland and this increases lean muscle mass.
The omega-3 fatty acid-rich oils have also been shown in hundreds of studies to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, including many studies in diabetics.
They help remind the body to turn inflammatory reactions off when they are no longer needed, therefore helping bringing an end to the inflamed body.
I hope you see from this small article the power of these oil’s, please do not negate the effect and hold off before you start using fish oil supplementation. you only get 1 go at this life, so make it a healthy one!!
FOR MORE INFO ON ALL WEIGHT LOSS, FITNESS, NUTRITION AND HEALTH INFO why don’t you give us a call on 01202 671783 or email us at info@180degreesgym.com.
