Today's diets are mostly processed foods, with a high fat content. This is characteristic of many of today's industrialized societies. But, even those most devoted to these high fat diets, can be educated to change their ways.
Diet-Based Disease
We are seeing diet-based diseases increasing dramatically. Co-incidentally, the amount of Omega 3 essential fatty acids consumed in our diets has dropped by up to 80%. About 40 years ago, health authorities strongly recommended that western diets increase their consumption of PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) to help lower cholesterol levels. A dramatic increase then took place in the consumption of vegetable oils - rich in essential Omega 6 PUFAs, but not Omega 3 PUFAs.
It has now been found that an excess of Omega 6 actually interferes with the benefits of Omega 3, thus making the existing Omega 3 shortage even more acute.
All material and information presented by Newfoundland Health Foods Corporation is intended to be used for educational purposes only. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Please consult with your own physician or health care practitioner regarding the suggestions and recommendations made at Newfoundland Health Foods Corp.
Diet Is The Prime Link To Good Health
It has long been established that diet is the prime link to good health. When Japan moved from its traditional diet of simple marine food, to the western-based diet of processed foods, their rate of heart disease rose dramatically. Conversely, when Norway was forced to return to its traditional diet of marine life during World War II shortages, the death rate (of heart disease, cancer etc.) dropped by 40%. This rate, however, returned to normal levels as soon as the war ended and Norwegians returned to the western diet. It is of great interest that during the war,
the decrease in Norwegian heart disease - coincided with a 50% increase in Omega 3.
Another example of the benefical effects of a traditional marine diet (high in Omega3) is found with the High Arctic Inuit. Despite their large daily fat intakes, the Inuit blood lipids remained within normal levels, their incidence of heart trouble was low and they were relatively free from Artery Hardening. Like the Norwegians and the Japanese before them, as the Inuit have adopted western diets, the occurrances of diet-based disease have risen to the western levels.
Supplementing Your Diet
Our bodies neither produce nor store Omega 3 internally, Omega 3 must be obtained from external sources. As most of our food intake continues to be highly processed food, with little or no fish or marine sources, Omega 3 is often best obtained through supplements.
Dr. Cosmas Ho, M.D., C.C.F.P.
Canada's Pioneer of Omega 3
Seal Oil Research
