26 Oct Balancing Omega 6 to Omega 3 To Prevent and Manage Obesity
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Artemis P. Simopoulos
Artemis P. Simopoulos, M.D. FACN
President, The Center for Genetics
Nutrition and Health
Washington, DC 20016
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: I have written extensively on the evolutionary aspects of diet, the diet of Crete prior to 1960 in which I pointed to the misinterpretation of the data of the Seven Countries Study by Keys et al. A major characteristic of these diets is a balanced omega-6/omega-3 ratio.
The recommendation to substitute saturated fats with omega-6 rich oils (sunflower, corn, soybean) increases inflammation and coronary heart disease. It has been shown in a number of studies that a high omega-6/omega-3 (20/1 instead of a balanced ratio) leads to an increase in white adipose tissue and prevents the formation of brown adipose tissue leading to obesity. The changes in the diet-high in omega-6 oils depletion of omega-3 and high fructose along with highly refined carbohydrates in processed foods and a sedentary lifestyle lead to obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease and cancer.
The scientific evidence from the FAT-1 mouse and recent cohort studies clearly show that the current dietary guidelines as the previous ones are not based on science that takes into consideration genetics, metabolism, the concept that a calorie is not a calorie. It is important to consider that nutrients influence the expression of genes, the omega-6 fatty acids are the most pro-inflammatory nutrients, and inflammation is at the base of all chronic non-communicable diseases.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
- Change the oils you eat.
- Use olive oil, canola oil, flaxseed oil, perilla oil, chia oil, macadamia oil and hazelnut oil.Do not use oils high in omega-6 (sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, or cottonseed oil).
- Do not go on a low-fat high carbohydrate diet.
- Walk and be physically active.
- Know your family history.
- FDA should distinguish between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids on the food label and stop using polyunsaturated fatty acids as if there is only one variety.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
- Establish a Nutrition and Food Science Agency.
- Carry out randomized clinical trials with proper controls
- .Nutrition Research should lead Food Sciences Research.
- Stop using epidemiologic studies based on food frequency questionnaires and self reported height and weight.
- Expand research on food biomarkers and tissue biomarkers.
- Expand research on Nutrigenetics (the role of genetic variation on dietary response), and Nutrigenomics (the role of nutrients in gene expression).
- Expand Research on the concept of ‘a calorie is not a calorie’ or ‘all calories are not the same.’
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Open Heart 2016;3:e000385 doi:10.1136/openhrt-2015-000385
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
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Last Updated on October 27, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD