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wahaika/waxingmoon
August 12 2009 at 10:02 PM mommcafee (Login mommcafee)

The american diet is considered at an excess of omega 6 compared to omega 3, does this mean adding EPO/borage is a bad idea? This excess of 6/3, is supposed to contribute to breast CA in some studies.

I once took a borage/fish/flax casule supplement to ensure I was getting both, but it turned me green, blech!I am not sure which ingredient upset my stomach, so I am scared to look for an omega 3 supplement, any suggestions?




waxingmoon
(Login waxingmoon)
SENIOR MEMBER
Re: wahaika/waxingmoon
August 13 2009, 1:56 AM

Hi Mommcafee,

You raise a good question regarding the ratio of Omega6 and Omega3 Fatty Acids.

Here is what I understand about this issue.

Both Borage oil and EPO provide Omega 6 Fatty Acids and if you are going to supplement with this you need to supplement Omega 3.

You are absolutely right that we already get an over abundance of Omega 6 Fatty acids in our diet. This can lead to health problems one of which is heart disease. The suggested ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 should never be more than 4:1 (Omega 6 4 times more than Omega 3) Our standard diet makes the ration more like 25:1 (way too much Omega 6). It would be better if we had them at a 1:1 ratio or even a 1:2 ratio (meaning more Omega 3 than Omega 6). Omega 3 Fatty acids promote hormone building, heart health, reduced inflammation and quite a few other things as well.

You can get a good source of Omega 3 Fatty acids from cold water fish (salmon, mackrel, sardines, etc) - but if you don't eat a lot of fish you can use fish oil supplements. Another source of Omega 3 is found in Flaxseed oil.

However, I have recently run across data stating that a good goal for the essential fatty acids is 1.5 grams per day of both Omega 3 and Omega 6. You should also have a goal of getting 1.25 grams per day of EPA and DHA (you get this from fish sources of Omega 3 but not the flaxseed sources).

Here is a great link to a very well written and accurate article about Essential Fatty acids:

http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/magazine03/efa.htm

There is a lot to this article and it gets a little scientific at times, but it is great info.

Hope this has shed some light. I am always glad to answer what I can.

Best wishes,
waxingmoon




mommcafee
(no login)
Re: wahaika/waxingmoon
August 13 2009, 2:13 AM

Thank you, that was really informative.

The only type of supplement like this I have taken is one containing all 3 (borage/flax/fish). Any idea which one was most likely the nasty one in those ingredients? I want an omg3, but its no good if I cant tolerate it.

ANy ideas? please?



waxingmoon
(Login waxingmoon)
SENIOR MEMBER
Re: wahaika/waxingmoon
August 13 2009, 2:50 PM

Hi Mommcafee,

The offending item may very well be the fish oil.

The taste/smell of oils is quite a variable depending on the manufacturer. Some fish oils will make you gag while others have no taste/smell at all. I have found that the more 'Name Brand' manufacturers versus 'store brands' have a better quality.

If you want to take Borage or EPO I suggest taking them as a separate pill from the Omgea 3 (fish or flaxseed). This is because you will want to take more of the Omega 3 to balance out the over abundance of the Omega 6 (regular diet plus Borage/EPO).

The best Omega 3 in my opinion is fish oil because it also supplies EPA and DHA which are so important in overall health. I do use Flaxseed, but as a crushed seed, not the oil. I do this because the crushed flaxseed is an incredible source of lignans - the low dose phytoestrogen that helps to balance out my estrogen dominance.

Try another brand of fish oil and you will probably find it tolerable. Also, take it with food (but don't chew it... ewwww) and you will find any taste/smell is masked.

Best wishes,
waxingmoon