Omega Man

The food and pharmaceutical industries have us in a vicious circle in which they both benefit financially from our misery. We buy foods that make us ill and then we buy pharmaceuticals to make us feel better.

Odds are that you know at least one person who is currently taking medication for depression, or a child who is taking medication for ADD. Odds are that these are conditions that you did not hear too much about only a few years ago. Add to that a growing number of people with diabetes, obesity, and a host of other problems, and if you’re like me, you start to ask if diet is playing a significant role in all of this.

Our food supply has changed drastically over the past 50-100 years, and we are seeing the results in increased illness, both mental and physical.

Our bodies, our minds operate well with a balance of Omega 6 / Omega 3 ratio of 1/1 to 5/1, depending on the study one reads. Our current diet is closer to 20/1. This significant change has happened over the past 50-100 years.

The benefits of omega-3s include reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke while helping to reduce symptoms of hypertension, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
But even as important is their ability to reduce the negative impact of yet another essential type of fatty acid known as omega-6s. They support skin health and lower cholesterol. But when omega-6s aren't balanced with sufficient amounts of omega-3s, we have problems.


The most significant change with regard to the Omega ratio has been our growing use of corn based foods replacing leafy vegetable based foods in our diet. Corn is rich in Omega 6. Leafy vegetables, grasses, are rich in Omega 3. Cattle fed on the open range had an Omega Ratio of 3:1. Cattle fed a diet of corn have a ratio of 20:1. There are similar findings with pork and poultry. In addition, corn is the most commonly found ingredient in your local supermarket is: Corn. Corn syrup as fructose is everywhere. It’s in our cereals, breads, soups, sauces, cakes, cookies, and just about everywhere else. In a natural world, corn is not a staple food source but we have created an unnatural reliance on corn as a staple in our diet and the diet of the livestock that we consume.

What can we do about it? The first step is to increase our levels of Omega 3. Seafood is rich in Omega 3 but it’s also rich in mercury (thanks to our coal burning – world wide). So eat fish, but only in moderation. Other sources of Omega 3’s are walnuts, soybeans, and winter squash. The second step is to shop carefully at the market to lower our Omega 6. Avoid processed foods as much as possible to keep your fructose intake low. Ask your butcher if he has grain feed beef, pork, or poultry. Tell your local grocery store that you are looking for foods rich in Omega 3’s. In other words, use your words and your wallet to drive the market.

Do this and we will all eat better and live better!