Are you getting enough fat?

It is estimated that over 90% of the U.S. population does not get the optimal amounts of omega-3 essential fatty acids.  Because omega-3 deficiencies can be vague, it can attributed to other health conditions or nutrient deficiencies.  Consequently, few people (or their physicians) realize they are not consuming enough omega 3 fatty acids.  How can you determine if you are not receiving enough omega-3 in your diet?  Symptoms include:

• Depression
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Type II Diabetes
• Fatigue
• Itchy, dry skin
• Brittle hair and nails
• Inability to concentrate
• Joint Pain

Extensive research has shown that these healthy fats help prevent an array of medical problems including cardiovascular disease, depression, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis.   Consuming foods like flaxseeds, walnuts, and salmon as well as Omega 3 by e3, you can ensure the benefits of these healthy fats.   There are at least 10 important functions of essential fatty acids in your diet:

• Improve insulin
• Absorption of fat soluble vitamins
• Joint Health
• Energy Production
• Oxygen Transfer
• Membrane Integrity
• Suppress cortisol production
• Improve skin texture
• Increase metabolic rate
• Burn fat

The last two on this list probably really got your attention.  Udo Erasmus wrote in his book Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill, “At levels above 12 or 15% of total calories, they increase the rate of metabolic reactions in the body and the increased rate burns more fat into carbon dioxide, water and energy (heat), resulting in fat burn off and loss of excess weight.”

The National Institute of Health (NIH) recommended that people consume at least 2% of their total daily calories as omega-3 fats. To meet this recommendation, a person consuming 2000 calories per day should eat sufficient omega-3-rich foods to provide at least 4 grams of omega-3 fatty acids.