Fish Oil!
Many people we see at DCIM are already on Fish oils, and typically they are self-started…thus, I think people are aware of the benefits of these fatty acids.
As a quick review, making sure your fat profile is balanced has shown to be useful in cardiovascular concerns, neurological issues like depression and traumatic brain injury, and conditions where inflammation may be problematic: Diabetes, PCOS, Cancer, Autoimmunity, and skin conditions like eczema. Omega 3 is the type of essential fat you can find in fish oil, but will also find in walnuts, chia, flaxseed, and hemp as examples.
Two tips on these important oils:
1. Please source them well. Buying fish oils OTC (from your local grocery) may result in purchasing oils that have sat on a shelf for a long time, and are therefore rancid. The theoretical benefit you think you’re getting may actually be causing you more harm. I trust Nordic Naturals and MyPhytoQuant to name a few.
2. Use data to optimize your ratios of fats. Simple Laboratory tests can show you the Ratio of Omega 3 (“anti-inflammatory”) to Omega 6 (“pro-inflammatory”) fats you have. Neither is good or bad, but a ratio above 6 is optimal and means you are getting enough of these anti-inflammatory fats to engender good health!
PS: I eat sardines 2x a week. It’s a super-efficient way to get these good fats in and avoid heavy metals that can be found in larger fish.
About DCIM
The team at District Center for Integrative Medicine specializes in helping patients get to the root cause of their conditions. If you’re looking for 1-on-1 help from naturopathic doctors who care, request a free consultation today!
