Omega 3's are GOOD. Omega 6's are BAD, sort of. We need Omega-6's, but we need more Omega-3's. Let me explain. The average American diet takes in 20 times more Omega -6's than Omega -3's. This needs to be reduced. The average American should take in only 3 times the Omega-6's than Omega-3's. We need to change our dietary habits to make this change in our balance of these fatty acids.

Millions of dollars have been spent by the drug companies educating the population to the importance of improving the cholesterol ratio of HDLs (good) to LDLs (bad). We need to continue to do the same with Omega 3's (good) and Omega 6's (bad). It's not that we need to cut out Omega 6's completely (which is impossible to do), but we need a healthier dietary balance.

Certain fish are rich in Omega-3's such as wild salmon, rainbow trout, black cod, Mediterranean Bass (Branzino), and sardines. Certain grains and nuts such as walnuts and flaxseed are rich in Omega 3's. In contrast, most snack foods, cookies, crackers, chips, and sweets in the American diet, as well as fast food, are rich in Omega-6 fatty acids. Refined corn, safflower, soy, and cottonseed oils are examples of polyunsaturated vegetable oils that are loaded with Omega-6's. Olive oil, expeller pressed canola oil and walnut oil would be great substitutes. We need to work hard to balance the intake of Omega 3's to Omega 6's.

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