Omega-3 Fatty Acids: How To Prevent An Essential Fatty Acid Imbalance From Compromising Your Health And Putting You At Risk Of Heart Disease

Most people used to purchase their vegetable oil from the 'oil man', who would deliver fresh, unrefined oil (in its natural rather than processed state) door to door on a weekly basis. Due to the fact that it was a perishable food item, it was bought regularly and in small amounts, in much the same way as milk and eggs.

Today it's a different story entirely. Like most people, you probably purchase highly refined vegetable oils from your local supermarket. These oils differ greatly to natural, unrefined oil as they have been subjected to heat, chemicals and bleaches, rendering them devoid of nutrients.

One of the problems with refined oil is that it does not provide us with a proper balance of the essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, which are found in unrefined, polyunsaturated oils. They are important as they act as precursors in the body to special hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which possess numerous health benefits. For example, prostaglandins formed by omega-3 help prevent blood clotting and reduce inflammation. Those formed by omega-6 also have anti-inflammatory benefits and support the circulatory and immune systems.

A lack of either can give rise to deficiency symptoms. But it's not just a deficiency that can cause problems. An imbalance of the two is considered just as bad, especially higher amounts of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, which most of us currently receive in our diets. This is mainly a result of our reliance on oils rich in omega-6, such as sunflower, safflower and corn oil. These oils are also found in margarine, mayonnaise, peanut butter, hummus and many ready meals. To make matters worse, omega-3 fats are more prone to damage by cooking, heating and food processing than omega-6 fats, which upsets the balance further still.

Many researchers have linked an imbalance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids to numerous conditions including neurological disorders, cancer and arteriosclerosis.1

To prevent a deficiency or imbalance from compromising health, a new product called Red Alert has been developed. It contains flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil and carotenoids from red palm oil, which together provide the two essential fatty acids in the correct ratio. Better still, because it is designed to be consumed without prior heating, omega-3 fats are not damaged as a result.

Flaxseed Oil helps the body produce beneficial prostaglandins
The oil from flaxseed (linseed) is the richest known source of alpha linolenic acid (54 per cent), which is a member of the omega-3 family of essential fats. It also contains about 15 per cent linoleic acid, which is a member of the omega-6 family of essential fats.

To a limited extent, the body can turn alpha linolenic acid into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) - an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil. This, in turn, converts to beneficial prostaglandins that help regulate cell activity.

Research suggests that this therapeutic action of flaxseed oil can help lower cholesterol and high blood pressure.2, 3

Clinical results using flaxseed oil against psoriasis have proved impressive, although there have been no published trials to support this observation to date.

Evening Primrose Oil helps improve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms
For the body to produce prostaglandins formed from omega-6 essential fatty acids, linoleic acid must first be converted into gamma linolenic acid (GLA). However, a deficiency of specific vitamins and minerals (vitamins B and C, zinc and magnesium) can prevent this conversion process. Evening primrose oil (EPO), is a rich source of GLA, hence it is easier to convert it into prostaglandins than is the case with the usual sources of dietary omega-6.

Double-blind studies have revealed that rheumatoid arthritis sufferers experience significant improvements in their symptoms following EPO supplementation.4 EPO has also been found to lower cholesterol levels,5 and preliminary trials suggest that taking it in supplement form can help premenstrual syndrome, diabetes, eczema, and other skin conditions.6,7,8,9

The carotenoids in Red Alert possess an impressive range of actions
The third ingredient in Red Alert is a carotenoid - a highly coloured red, orange and yellow group of fat-soluble plant pigments present in a variety of foods such as dark leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, green peppers and apricots - concentrate derived from red palm oil (the fruit of the oil palm Elaeis guineensis).

It contains the carotenoids alpha- and beta-carotene, lycopene and zeaxanthin, which have been found to reduce the risk of cancer, protect against heart disease, improve the function of the immune system, reduce age-related macular degeneration and the development of cataracts.11, 12, 13

This protective action has been largely attributed to the antioxidant capacity of carotenoids, meaning that they can defend against free radical attacks. Besides providing the body with a source of antioxidants, carotenoids are protective of the omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids themselves, which otherwise are prone to destruction from light, oxygen and heat.

What to take for best results
The recommended dose for Red Alert is one tablespoon a day.
However, the product is not suitable for cooking and is best taken added to salads, vegetables or whole grains. Once opened, it should be stored in the fridge
and consumed within three to six weeks.

1. Plaskett, L. The combined value of Omega-3, GLA and carotenoids. Nutrition Information Services 2002
2. Chan JK, Bruce VM, McDonald BE. Dietary a-linolenic acid is as effective as oleic acid and linoleic acid in lowering blood cholesterol in normolipidemic men. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:1230-4
3. Singer P, Jaeger W, Berger I, et al. Effects of dietary oleic, linoleic and a-linolenic acids on blood pressure, serum lipids, lipoproteins and the formation of eicosanoid precursors in patients with mild essential hypertension. J Human Hypertension 1990;4:227-33
4. Joe LA, Hart LL. Evening primrose oil in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Pharmacother 1993;27:1475-7 [review]
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9. Horrobin DF. Essential fatty acids in clinical dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol 1989;20:1045-53
11. Murray M. Encyclopaedia of Natural Medicine, 1998, pp 154-155
12. Mares-Perlman JA. Serum antioxidants and age-related macular degeneration in a population-based case-control study. Arch. Ophthalmol 1995;113:1518-23
13. Jacques PF et al. Antioxidant status in persons with and without senile cataract. Arch. Ophthalmol. 1988b;106(3):337-40