The Healing Power of Healthy Oils: What Big Pharma Doesn’t Want You to Know
Welcome to one of my favorite topics: fantastic fats. Contrary to popular belief, fat is not the enemy. In fact, fat is an essential nutrient for the body. However, not all fats are created equal. Some fats are dangerous, leading to a general misconception that all fats are bad. Today, we will redefine fats and explore their incredible health benefits, with the help of Dr. Barbara O’Neill, a renowned naturopath with over 40 years of experience.
Understanding Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential polyunsaturated fats that play a crucial role in our body’s functions. The term “essential” means that our bodies cannot produce these fats on their own; we must obtain them through our diet. Omega-3s are vital for heart health, reducing inflammation, and improving brain function.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower triglycerides, reduce blood pressure, and even prevent cardiovascular disease. Fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel are often touted as the richest sources of Omega-3s. However, fish accumulate Omega-3s from consuming one-celled algae.
Vegetarians can get their Omega-3s from plant-based sources such as flax seed, linseed, and chia seeds. These seeds are rich in alpha-linolenic acid, a type of Omega-3 fatty acid. Consuming flax seeds or linseeds can help reduce blood clots, lower blood pressure, and prevent conditions like deep vein thrombosis.
Exploring Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Omega-6 fatty acids are another type of polyunsaturated fat, commonly found in plant-based oils like sunflower oil, walnut oil, corn oil, and cottonseed oil. These fats have a unique chemical structure with two double bonds along their chain, making them thinner than saturated fats.
Both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for maintaining heart health, reducing inflammation, and supporting brain function. The ideal ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids is about 4:1. However, modern diets often disrupt this balance, resulting in an excess of Omega-6s.
Omega-6 fatty acids generate an electromagnetic field that interacts with our body’s electrical systems, improving brain and nervous system function. They also enhance the absorption of vital nutrients such as vitamin D and oxygen. Research suggests that Omega-6 fatty acids can promote the production of anti-inflammatory molecules, helping to suppress the growth and spread of cancer cells.
The Benefits of Omega-9 Fatty Acids
Omega-9 fatty acids are monounsaturated fats with one double bond in their fatty acid chain. These fats offer numerous health benefits, including lowering cholesterol and boosting heart health. One of the most potent Omega-9 fatty acids is erucic acid, found in mustard oil.
Erucic acid has been shown to enhance cognitive function and improve memory performance in individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease. It also helps regulate the buildup of very long-chain fatty acids in the brains of patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system.
The Unique Properties of Medium Chain Fatty Acids
Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, which have a distinct structure compared to long-chain fatty acids. These saturated fats lack double bonds, making them stable and solid at colder temperatures.
Despite being depicted as unhealthy, saturated fats are essential for a well-rounded diet. They provide a slow-burning, long-lasting energy source and have been shown to increase HDL (good) cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and improve brain function.
Saturated fats undergo an early breakdown process during digestion, making them a perfect choice for individuals with digestive issues, liver disease, or pancreatitis. They are absorbed directly into the bloodstream and transported to the liver, where they are burned as fuel.
The Dangers of Hydrogenated Oils
Hydrogenated oils, commonly found in margarine, are created by converting liquid plant oils into solid fats. This process, known as hydrogenation, involves saturating the oils with hydrogen ions and using a catalyst, often aluminum. Hydrogenated oils are chemically altered and can be harmful to our health.
When consumed, hydrogenated oils are not recognized by our bodies and are often stored in fatty lumps called lipomas. These lumps can be cancerous in rare cases. Therefore, it is best to avoid hydrogenated oils and opt for healthier alternatives like flax seed oil, linseed oil, and coconut oil.
Incorporating healthy oils into your diet can offer numerous health benefits, from reducing inflammation to improving brain function and heart health. Essential fatty acids like Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9 play unique roles in maintaining overall well-being. Saturated fats, particularly medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil, provide a stable and long-lasting energy source.
However, it is crucial to avoid hydrogenated oils, as they can be harmful to your health. By making informed choices about the fats you consume, you can enjoy the incredible healing power of oils while avoiding their unwanted effects on the body.
Thank you for reading. Don’t forget to like this blog and share it with your friends and family so they can also benefit from this valuable information. See you in the next blog!