What are "healthy fats"?
Healthy fats are found in foods that contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that play a part in almost every aspect of health. They affect your eyes, brain, heart, and overall health. However, your body does not produce omega-3s, so to maintain healthy levels you need to incorporate foods that are high in omega-3s.
Most commonly, people talk about how omega 3s help with heart health. They contribute to healthy circulation and cholesterol, which are both great for your heart and optimal cardiovascular function. However, omega 3s also have anti-inflammatory properties and are beneficial for your overall health and lowering chronic inflammation.
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits:
The anti-inflammatory properties of omega 3s have been shown to help with chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and gastrointestinal conditions, such as Crohn’s & colitis. Omega-3s can even help with preventing such chronic conditions. In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties help with joint health, making movement more comfortable.
Certain omega 3s have been shown to help in regenerating the pigment that helps convert the light that hits your retina into the visual images you see. Making omega 3 crucial for retina function and development.
Omega-3 vs. Omega-6 Fatty Acids
While omega 3s are important to the function of your body, most people tend to be low in them. Americans tend to obtain more omega 6s than omega 3s. Omega-6s are another essential fatty acid, but too much can contribute to inflammation. While we need both omega-3 and omega-6 many people consume too much omega-6 and not enough omega-3s. Things like vegetable oils (canola and soybean) are common in American diets and contribute to an unbalanced omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.
The perfect balance of omega-6 to omega-3 is 2:1, however, Americans tend to consume 10 to 20 times the amount of omega-6.
While both are key to a healthy lifestyle, balance is important. The best way to achieve the right balance is by increasing your omega-3 intake. Eat walnuts, chia seeds, seaweed/algae, Brussel sprouts, avocado, flax seeds, hemp seeds, edamame or wild-caught salmon to help reach the right omega 3 to 6 balance.
