Reducing inflammation

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) play an important role in preventing and reducing inflammation. I’ve written an entire series of articles on this topic, which I’d recommend reading if you haven’t already.

The ideal ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids is between 1:1 and 3:1. The average American ratio is closer to 25:1, and as high as 30:1, thanks to diets high in processed and refined foods. The result of this imbalance is – among other things – inflammation.

Two steps are required to bring this ratio back into balance. First, dramatically reducing consumption of omega-6 fats, and second, moderately increasing consumption of omega-3 fats. I explain how to do this in considerable detail in this article.

Another benefit of increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids is that they have also been shown to help balance the Th1 and Th2 systems.

Aside from ensuring a proper balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, following an anti-inflammatory diet/lifestyle and avoiding dietary triggers like gluten and iodine is essential.

"many people aren’t aware of is that omega-6 fats have nearly the opposite effect of omega-3s. Omega-6 fats promote inflammation and contribute to modern diseases such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes. Unfortunately, omega-6 fats are ubiquitous in the modern diet. They’re found in nearly all processed, refined and restaurant-cooked foods, and recent statistics suggest they may constitute as much as 20% of calories in the average American’s diet."

Many are aware that fish are a significant source of omega-3s. But these days people are scared to eat fish because of concerns about mercury and other toxins. I present evidence that proves these concerns have been overblown, and that fish is indeed not only safe to eat, but an important part of a healthy diet.

Fish oil has become increasingly popular in the last ten years, partly due to concerns about fish safety. Yet most people don’t understand that not all fish oils are created alike. Several popular products on the market are rancid and/or produced with inferior ingredients, which may end up causing the very problems that people are taking fish oils to address. 

The following chart lists the omega-6 and omega-3 content of various vegetable oils and foods:

In plain english, what this means is that the more omega-3 fat you eat, the less omega-6 will be available to the tissues to produce inflammation. Omega-6 is pro-inflammatory, while omega-3 is neutral. A diet with a lot of omega-6 and not much omega-3 will increase inflammation. A diet of a lot of omega-3 and not much omega-6 will reduce inflammation.

Big Pharma is well aware of the effect of n-6 on inflammation. In fact, the way over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, Celebres, etc.) work is by reducing the formation of inflammatory compounds derived from n-6 fatty acids. (The same effect could be achieved by simply limiting dietary intake of n-6, as we will discuss below, but of course the drug companies don’t want you to know that. Less profit for them.)

From Chris Kessler - http://chriskresser.com/basics-of-immune-balancing-for-hashimotos