Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are showing up everywhere – in foods, supplements and even joint cream. 1 At least one prescription dog food contains more omega-3 content than even nutraceuticals provide. Navigating successfully among the many supplementation options requires understanding the unique attributes of each fatty acid and deciphering the alphabet soup of acronyms.
Where to Find PUFAs
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| Shelled hemp seeds and whole flax seeds both contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. |
Naturally occurring fats fall into three categories – saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. (“Trans” fats occupy a separate category of hydrogenated fats created by food processors.) Saturated fats include beef and dairy fat while monounsaturated fats arise from plants such as olive and canola. PUFAs include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Fish, walnuts, flaxseed and hemp seed contain omega-3s whereas safflower oil, corn oil, peanuts and soybean oil have omega-6’s.
PUFAs produce bioactive molecules known as eicosanoids. Leukotrienes, prostaglandins and thromboxanes derived from omega-3s predominantly afford anti-inflammatory and platelet-inhibiting effects, whereas omega-6s do the opposite.
The ideal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in carnivore diets remains unclear.
Given that the “typical Western diet” exhibits an unhealthful high omega-6 and low omega 3 ratio, augmentation of omega-3s seems advisable. Further, food grown today contains...
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