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Hi Kat.
I am always pleased to see somebody else interested in the issue of fat intake and the omega three six balance.
It is complex, and there is no real substitute for a bit of background reading to get the inklings of why many consider it a very significant issue, and why.
From my reading it is less about quantity and more about type and balance.
Try the post on articles of interest "the importance of omega three and six to breast cancer". There is a link to an article by a Ben Best, some of it is complex but just ignore what you dont understand and you should get the gist to start.
There are lots of posts on this site if you check out the search engine above and right, click on search and enter say omega three or six. There is lots on the net as well.
As you will see on the list of oils and compositions most oils are high to medium in omega six, with the exception of virgin olive oil and flax.
Omega three is found in high levels in flax seed / oil, perillia, oily fish fish oil, some algae etc.
The sixes promote inflamation and the threes moderate it in very general terms.
Historically balances of omega threes to omega six have been in the range of 4:1 to 1:4. Today it is 1:10 in some countries and in the US up to 1:50.
In general terms to balance the threes and sixes you have to cut out all oils except a little olive oil (virgin cold pressed) and flax to balance and provide threes. Getting your fats from whole foods has to be the starting place. SO read labels, and check out any other oils you feel the need for to see what they contain in terms of threes and sixes.
Trials suggest the KEY is balancing the threes and sixes.
DHA and EPA are two key omega three derivatives that the body can make but it is suggested in trials does not do very well especially when out of balance. So to help the body out you may want to consider taking some. Saddly for fish fish oil is a good source - about 2 grams a day appears to be a level at with the body's uptake drops off.
I recommend that you do a bit of background reading as it is just to big a subject to squeeze into a small space. There are also some posts on cancer diets on the site.
Fats are powerful agents in the body and have very many more functions than is generally realised and it is always sensible to discuss diet changes with your advisors.
If you are still lost come back.
RB
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