Too Much Omega 6 Oil Makes Food Toxic

BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- WellWise.org started today a campaign to increase consumer awareness about the importance of the omega 3:6 ratio. Ever since the US government started subsidizing massive and cheap corn production, corn oil has replaced many healthy oils in processed foods and restaurant cooking oils. This silent shift has caused, with a few decades delay, a national health crisis. Corn oil contains on average 60% omega 6; a highly inflammatory fatty acid. The massive consumption of corn oil, and similar omega 6 oils like soybean, safflower and sunflower oil, has resulted in a dangerous imbalance between omega 3 and omega 6 oils.

Omega 3 fatty acids (such as EPA and DHA) and omega 6 fats (such as corn oil, soybean, safflower and sunflower oil) are essential for good health as long as they are consumed in moderation. The problem is the omega 6 overload in the typical American diet, which is causing a toxic imbalance. The consequences: inflammation, the process that many researchers believe to be the root cause of most chronic disease. For example most heart disease, arthritis, obesity and diabetes are driven by inflammation.

The campaign is about getting to the cause of the obesity epidemic, and the resulting inflammatory diseases. The omega 6 vegetable oil overload is slowly poisoning us, and it's important that the consumer becomes aware of this toxic imbalance. Simple dietary changes, such as replacing corn oil with canola oil, make a world of a difference. Alternative medicine starts with prevention.

Omega 3 fatty acids, as found in fish oil, krill oil and seafood, are highly anti-inflammatory and thus are countering the negative side effects of omega 6 consumption. The first phase in the Wellwise omega 6 awareness campaign is the launch of a dedicated website. The Wellwise omega 6 site features articles about which foods contain omega 6, omega 3-6-9 supplement reviews, and easy to understand omega 6 science articles. Wellwise's omega 6 subdomain will over time be expanded to the most comprehensive resource about omega 6 inflammation.

WellWise is a nonprofit website whose mission is to offer authoritative, science-based information on nutrients, dietary supplements and health strategies, and to provide a lively meeting place for consumers, health professionals, nutritionists and researchers. Regular WellWise bloggers include food scientists, investigative food reporters, doctors, and therapists. Major topics include GMO's, radiation, astaxanthin, healthy fats and women's health.

SOURCE WellWise.org