How far has everyone got with balancing omega 3 vs. omega 6 fats

[Danielj1]

Only recently have I really picked up on the need to totally eliminate as far as possible the processed seed oils which comprise primarily omega 6 fats.

So staples like the plastic tubs of spreading butter where fresh butter is supplemented with rapeseed oil are removed, mayonnaise, processed foods with such fats where I possible can are also being cut out. I now only buy fresh butter which I had led to believe all those years ago was a health disaster (wrongly I now see of course).

I have also tried to raise omega 3 with close attention to regular fish, walnuts and unprocessed virgin olive oil.

I know you can take this much further by actually testing omega 3 levels and omega 6/3 ratios.

I am convinced from the research I have read that the seed oils fundamentally compromise the ability of mitochondria to generate energy as effectively as possible - so a diet of crisps, cakes, margarine, pizzas have an important negative effect of us living our best possible life.

Very interested to know what others have found in doing this and have the omega tests been useful.

I have no idea to what extent 3 months into this degree of laser focus discipline on my fat choices - but notice sufficient improvements to overall energy and stamina that I am not turning back ever if I an possibly can.

Very interested to hear from anyone who is taking this approach what research they have picked up and what benefits they have found and what tests have or have not added value.

Good luck to us all with this!

[Astrido]

I haven't heard that seed oils are a problem. Is this from the anti-ultra-processed food (UPF) thinking? Are seeds meant to be ok? What about omega supplements that are vegetarian? Would be interested to read more.

[helvella]

Zoe recently had an article about seed oils - which is quite readable.

Are seed oils bad for you?

zoe.com/learn/are-seed-oils...

I don't agree with everything Zoe say, but I do appreciate this:

At the end of the day, if you want to avoid seed oils just in case, that’s fine. The evidence so far suggests that there are no issues with them, but everyone gets to choose.

It is both obvious and (sometimes) necessary to be said. Too many sources of "advice" appear dictatorial rather than recognising this.

[Danielj1 in reply to helvella]

Thanks, I am not a great fan at all of the Zoe philosophy so avoid all their research where I can that is my very personal perspective and many others may disagree I accept. Having said that, they have dug up some research that allows them to form the conclusion they state.

I feel from a very personal perspective that the biggest issue for hypo patients is a fundamental breakdown of the process for production of energy and hence feel cold, slowed metabolism and huge loss of energy to support daily activities. This is due to processes in the mitochondria in the cells being disregulated to a certain degree.

Much research exists around how seed oil fundamentally disrupts the energy /mitochondria process and so from this important/specific/narrow angle is a massive issue imvho.

So the biggest thing I found when I cut out all the crisps, bread, processed foods, oils with seed oils was a step change improvement in energy levels that I had not seen in 6 years since starting on the hypo rehab journey. The change was more significant than taking all the recommended supplements for hypos (D/B/Magnesium etc).

It does not get much publicity as there are so much politics from the food companies who have the vast majority of all their processed foods linked to seed oils - so massive business implications if the word got out among hypos to avoid them across the board.

We all have our own journey with hypo issues I know so I am not here to dictate anything to anyone - just to raise awareness that removing seed oils MAY be the single most important thing to raise energy levels and improve quality of life available out there I am aware of for a hypo person.

Thanks again for responding - I am better informed to see other views out there I accept.

[arTistapple in reply to Danielj1]

What oils are considered ‘seed oils’? I have been using organic rapeseed oil for a number of years - now I am horrified to think this has been a waste of time and money. Now using ‘pale olive oil’ for cooking purposes which I was previously led to believe was not a good thing for cooking. Something to do with the temperatures required.

So what should we be doing? Any significant evidence?

[traveltime]

There’s lots of evidence as I understand it. Nina Teicholz wrote Big Fat Surprise and there are several uk info sources too. Basically a small number of pressed seed oils are ok, but the list of ‘no’ is pretty extensive (including sunflower, safflower, corn, vegetable, soya, and more). Good oils include coconut, olive, avocado, and a couple of other cold pressed.

[GlowCoach Administrator]

As I understand it our diets are currently usually naturally higher in omega 6 than 3. So I have just increased oily fish plus supplement omega 3 (from a good source, it makes a difference buying a good quality supplement).

I did test my omega levels back at the start and the supplement I took increased my levels well enough for them to now be optimal.

This is the test I used: neovos.com/product/omega-3-...

Cutting out processed foods is always going to make you feel better regardless of difference in nutrient intake.

[Danielj1]

Thanks, plan to do some form of omega 3 test in 2025. There is so much discussion on seed oils online I think everyone will need to decide how much time and interest they have to follow it all up. One article albeit very technical is herepmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

a lot more less technical video stuff on you tube etc