You’ve heard about essential fats in the media and you know they’re important, but do you know why and how to balance your essential fatty acid intake?   Let’s explore this.  First off, essential fatty acids are considered “essential” because they’re required for optimal health, but our body can’t produce them so we must consume them through our food or supplementation.

There are two families of essential fatty acids:  omega-3 and omega-6, and each have different effects on our body.  Both fatty acids are important, but the real key is to consume omega-3 and omega-6 in a balanced ratio to maintain health.  When out of balance, excess intake of omega-6 promotes inflammation, increases blood clotting, and depresses the immune system.  On the other hand, omega-3 is anti-inflammatory, increases circulation, and enhances the immune system.  Here’s what you may not realize…the modern Western diet has negatively shifted this crucial balance by the availability of too much omega-6 on a daily ba...