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Part 2 of the H.O.P.E Program – Omega-3 Oils
Brenda Watson is one of the pioneers in today’s nutritional marketplace. She has a singular focus on digestive care. I can endorse Brenda for her products which are innovative and for her educational efforts which are legendary. Brenda has written or co-authored some of the most important books on digestive care, and if you have a digestive issue, I highly recommend her books which will guide you in dealing with digestive problems. You may have seen Brenda on one of her PBS specials and she has appeared many times in popular press. Her information and teaching style are easily understood and yet highly profound in the importance of her message.
This interview is Part 2 of our 4 part series on Brenda’s H.O.P.E. program. High fiber, Omega-3 oils, Probiotics, and Enzymes. Her message is straight forward. One of the most important things a person can do when they have digestive issues is evaluate how to incorporate these 4 elements. The four parts of the H.O.P.E. program are critical for digestive health. They are also foundational to maintain good digestive health. And good digestive health is necessary for whole body health. The food you eat is your only source of the nutritional factors that build health. To receive value from those foods, you must have a digestive system that functions normally. You are not only what you eat, but also what you absorb and utilize.
Part 2 – Omega-3 Oils
Q: What is Omega-3?
A: Omega-3 is a sub-group of essential fatty acids. Flax seed and some plants provide an Omega-3 fat (ALA), but seafood, fish and fish oil provide the two most biologically functional Omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA). Research shows that most Americans do not consume enough Omega-3 and confirms that consuming adequate amounts of Omega-3 from fish oil improves health and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Q. What are essential fatty acids?
A: Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are good-for-you fats the human body cannot make on its own. For this reason, we need to get our EFAs from food or supplements. Technically, they are long-chain unsaturated fatty acids. Fatty acids are building blocks used in every cell in your body. From their cellular position, EFAs direct and manage vital body functions, such as inflammation and proper heart, joint, eye, brain and immune function.
Q: Why should I take fish oil supplements?
A: Fish oil supplements supply the essential fatty acid, Omega-3. Omega-3 can only be obtained from the food and supplements we consume. Because the typical American diet is very low in Omega-3 fats, it is very beneficial to supplement your dietary intake of Omega-3 with fish oil supplements.
Q: What are the main benefits of taking fish oil supplements?
A: Omega-3 oils are essential to healthy digestion and help nourish the cells in the intestinal tract as well as provide the lubrication necessary for regular, healthy bowel elimination.‡ They have also been shown to significantly improve overall health by supporting the nervous system, brain, heart and other organs.‡
Q: What are EPA and DHA?
A: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are two healthy Omega-3 fats found in fish, seafood, and seaweed. EPA and DHA have been researched extensively and are known to be beneficial for heart health, joints, the immune system, healthy mood and brain health.‡
Q: How much Omega-3 EPA and DHA do most people get each day?
A: The average American consumes fewer than 0.2 grams (200 mg) of Omega-3 EPA/DHA per day.
Q: What is the recommended daily intake of Omega-3 EPA and DHA?
A: The American Heart Association recommends people with known coronary heart disease take approximately 1 gram (1,000 mg) of EPA/DHA daily.‡ For people who have no known heart disease, they recommend the equivalent of 500 mg of EPA/DHA daily.
Q: What is the recommended daily intake of Omega-3 EPA and DHA for people who want to support healthy triglyceride levels?
A: The American Heart Association reports that supplementation with 2–4 grams (2,000–4,000 mg) of EPA/DHA can help lower triglycerides. The Q & A are from RenewLife.com. .…READ MORE….
My opinion: I believe that fish oils (or some form of marine omega-3) is the most important thing you can do if you have any inflammatory condition. The Most Important. The reason is that fatty acids form the membranes of our cells. The fatty acids on the cells is made up of the fats you eat. Eat omega-3 and you will have omega-3 in all of your cells. Eat omega-6 and you will have cells made of omega-6. Most Americans are highly over balanced on omega-6. So what? An abundance of omega-3 is anti-inflammatory. An abundance of omega-6 is inflammatory. The only way to shift your inflammatory status is to shift the balance of omega-3 fatty acids throughout your body. Nothing else you can do will fix this. The only solution is to change your consumption of fats. Consume more omega-3 AND consume less omega-6.
Other anti-inflammatory nutrients such as enzymes and herbs are mostly helpful after the fact. They help reduce or mitigate the effects of inflammation. But they do not correct the fundamental fatty acid imbalance. Correct the omega-3 imbalance and you will improve most inflammatory conditions. You must also support your body with structure and function nutrients, but without omega-3, you will not be fully successful at addressing inflammation. Listen to our other interviews on omega-3 and you will gain a new appreciation for the importance of this nutritional substance.
About Brenda Watson,
For over 20 years, Brenda Watson has dedicated her career to helping people achieve vibrant, lasting health through improved digestive function. A dynamic health advocate and celebrated PBS-TV health educator, she is among the foremost authorities in America on optimum nutrition and digestion, natural detoxification methods, and herbal internal cleansing.
Brenda has intensely studied many philosophies of health and natural healing with the premiere teachers of our time. She was inspired to establish natural healthcare clinics in Florida specializing in cleansing and detoxification and is still inspired today in sharing her knowledge with a wider audience on Public Television. Brenda’s hit PBS shows The Road to Perfect Health and Heart of Perfect Health have empowered millions in their quest for better health and revolutionized the way Americans view the vital link between digestion and total-body wellness.
Brenda is also the author of New York Times bestselling The Fiber 35 Diet as well as many other popular health guides. The “Diva of Digestion’s” knowledge is surpassed only by her enthusiasm and mission to help people through awareness and education. Brenda’s high-energy, no-nonsense approach to bodily functions and health has made her one of today’s most popular health experts. Her latest book is The Skinny Gut Diet.
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I would agree that gut health plays an important role providing good health and in boosting our immune system. Love the idea of H.O.P.E. program. High fiber diet to help provide a healthy digestive system, Omega 3 to provide our body with the essential fatty acids, Pro-biotic to help our digestive system in effective absorption of nutrients and Enzymes to accelerate and trigger chemical reaction to utilize all nutrient from the food we eat. We had been taking Omega 3 Supplements – http://visiongroupcorp.com/omega3.html as an alternative anti inflammatory for NSAIDs and it did help out in keeping arthritis(RA) at bay