Jun

Omega 3/Omega 6 Balance is Vital to Colorectal Protection

By emily

When it comes to preventing cancer, you cannot be too careful. While science and medicine have come a long way in the treatment of this deadly disorder, there are still no guaranteed cures. As a result, the best way to combat cancer is to take every step possible to prevent it completely.

One of the most promising preventative strategies has been to make sure that you are getting plenty of omega 3 fatty acids in your diet. Omega 3, which is found in fish oil from fatty fish like salmon, is an anti-inflammatory agent. This means that it prevents inflammation, including in cells that could be about to start dividing uncontrollably. These cells ultimately can become cancer cells if they do not kill themselves fairly quickly after the division begins.

In research studies, breast and colorectal cancers appear to be the most inhibited by omega 3 fatty acids. However, new studies indicate that simply eating tuna fish twice a week (as recommended by the American Heart Association) may not be enough. The success of the prevention actually appears to lay in the balance of omega 3 fatty acids and omega 6 fatty acids. Omega 6 fatty acids are much more predominant in conventional diets. As a result, you need to be sure to get a daily allowance of omega 3's in order to keep your balance between omega 3s and omega 6s even.

Probably the best way to insure you are getting a good daily dose of omega 3 is to simply take dietary fish oil supplements. While you could attempt to minimize your omega 6s, this is not generally wise because your body also needs these fatty acids in order to perform at optimum levels. When you are selecting an omega 3 supplement, look for one that has been molecularly optimized so that you are getting only the best forms of omega 3. In addition, make sure you select a supplement made from Arctic Circle salmon so that you can be sure that the fish oil in the supplement is pure and toxin free.