For quite some time now fats have generally speaking been given a bad
reputation. The reality is that 80% of the wall of our cells is made of fat. Our
brain is a big “blob” of fat, and those fats need to be “fresh and flexible”.
Nerve cells can only communicate optimally when they have the proper fat
insulation. Our hormones are made of cholesterol.
This being said the proportion of the types of fats we eat, influences
the health of our body. Certain fats get turned into anti-inflammatory
molecules while others are turned into inflammation producing molecules.
Essential Fatty acids are called “essential” because the body cannot make them, we must
get them from our diet. Essential fatty acids such as omega-6 and omega-3,
should be consumed at a ratio of 3 omega 6 for every omega 3 (3:1). Unfortunately, our modern Western diet is deficient in
omega-3 and has excessive amounts of omega-6 (this
ratio can be up to 20 Ω6:1Ω3.)
Why is this a big deal? Because studies have shown that the balance between omega-3
and omega-6 fatty acids is a determining
factor in physical and mental well-being. This imbalance can cause a whole
host of symptoms and disorders ; therefore it is essential to restore the
balance.
In order to thrive, (and heal in particular the ADHD brain), and slow
down the aging clock, we literally need to “make
an oil change”.
The way we accomplish this is by first augmenting our omega 3 oil
intake. How do we do that?
By eating fish twice a week such as sardines, mackerel, salmon, herring,
trout, fresh cod fish, anchovies, boquerones, (Shell Fish, Tuna and Halibut have
exceedingly high levels of mercury and chemicals. I do not recommend that your
child eat them.) Start rotating your oils, meaning using different oils each
day such as Flaxseed, Walnut, Linseed or Camelina oil; those
oils are extremely sensitive to oxidation so do not heat them, protect them
from daylight and keep them refrigerated.
You can sprinkle, flax meal or blended chia seeds, on your veggies or
salads. Raw nuts (if you are not allergic) are an
amazing snack.
The easiest strategy for the “oil
change” is to take an oil supplements such as EYEQ from the Equazen laboratory,
or DHA from Solaray.
In cases of Hormone imbalances or
neurological problems I usually order a lab test, (red blood cell analysis), to
determine exactly what type of omega 3 oil we need to “push”.
The next step
is to reduce the intake of omega 6 oils.
You can accomplish
this by decreasing your intake of vegetable oils such as: Sunflower, Safflower, Peanut and Corn oils, and if need be eliminate charcuterie (high in
Arachidonic acid, an omega 6 oil) found in meats, smoked ham, cured ham, bacon,
sausages, hot dogs, salami, lunch meats...
Finally you
probably all know this by now, eliminate “Trans” fats.
“Trans” fats are hydrogenated fats that are a few molecules away from being plastic! They
lodge themselves in the brain and literally harden it! (I wonder if the term
lard head applies here.) You can drastically reduce your exposure by avoiding
foods such as fast food French fries, potato chips, sweets, cookies, and
industrial mayonnaise and salad dressing. Read
the labels to find out if what you are buying contains “trans”/ hydrogenated fats or not.
So no need to
go to the mechanic, you can make an oil change right from the comfort of your
kitchen!
Dr Muriel Poli,D.C.