McKinney Chiropractor Best Practices
Research Commentary;
Prevent Disease with The Right Balance of Omega 3 & 6!
A Review of
Polyunsaturated fatty acid regulation of genes of lipid metabolism
Harini Sampath 1, James M Ntambi
Research Reviewed by Dr. Travis Downs
Summarized Review Conclusions
Omega 3 is an essential nutrient for us as humans. The problem in today’s world is that our ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 is not in balance. The proper ratio needs to be 1:1 but because of the current environment and food choices it has become a 1:20 ratio in favor of Omega 6. When this balance is off, inflammation starts to creep in, and we start seeing the “everyday normal” health issues that we have in the United States. Obesity, cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes can all be prevented by just eating well, moving well and managing our stress. Having the 1:1balance of Omega 3 &6 will help prevent these diseases. Unfortunately to obtain this ration we need to supplement with Omega 3 because its virtually impossible to get the proper amount of it through our diet unless, you want to eat 12 jars of organic sardines a day. Everyone in our office and our patients use Innate Choice Omega 3 because it’s the purest most organic supplement on the market so you get all the omega 3 like it’s found in nature and your body can use it to its fullest potential. Most Omega 3 on the market are concentrated and processed so your body will not absorb them and cannot use them properly. Below you will find direct quotes of the referenced article along with my synopses of the research query, methodology and findings including references used by the research authors. Remember, Prevent Disease with The Right Balance of Omega 3 & 6!
“At the cellular level, fatty acids form an essential part of the phospho- lipid bilayer of membranes and serve as the precursors to signaling molecules such as steroids and prostaglandins.”
Harini Sampath 1, James M Ntambi
“n-3 and n-6 PUFAs have been known to confer various health benefits, including increased insulin signaling (110), enhanced immune response (48, 80), decreased plasma lipid levels (40, 88), and decreased incidence of lung disease (100) and coronary heart disease (106, 107, 117)”
*See corresponding references below
“More recently, one of the key examples of PUFA regulation of lipogenesis comes from its effects on leptin, an adipose-derived hormone. Leptin has gained much attention due to its role in the prevention of obesity; high plasma leptin levels are closely associated with increased adiposity and obesity, and weight loss results in attenuation of these high plasma leptin levels (32).”
Friedman JM. 2002. The function of lep- tin in nutrition, weight, and physiology. Nutr. Rev. 60:S1–14
Introduction to the Research
This review digs down to the cellular level and goes into how fatty acids affect us and our gene expression. We know that we need polyunsaturated fatty acids and the 1:1 ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 to have proper cellular and genetic function. Omega 3 affects cell membrane composition, metabolism, signal pathways, and direct control of the gene expression. When we have sufficient 1:1 Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio in our bodies it can aid in the prevention of obesity, diabetes, cancer, neurological and brain disorders and heart disease. With this research the path to be healthier and prevent diseases is clear. Cut out the processed foods, fast foods, and bad oils (these are all full of Omega 6) and add more wild caught fish, grass finished beef, raw nuts, and supplement with a proper Omega 3.
Research Methodology
This review sorts through some of the recent evidence implicating a role for polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in affecting gene expression, with a special focus on genes of lipid metabolism.
Research Findings
In recent years, the understanding that fat is more than just a static store of energy has led to the discovery of various pathways whereby fatty acids affect gene expression. This review, although certainly not conclusive, has attempted to sort through the effects that various dietary fats have on some of these genes, especially those involved in lipid metabolism. As discussed, the effects that fatty acids exert differ based on their chain length, degree of desaturation, and extent of cellular metabolism. They can affect gene expression at the nuclear level either directly or through one of their metabolites, or they can alter various signaling cascades within the cell, thereby raising second messenger concentrations and thus affecting gene expression. Some of the well-characterized mediators of fatty acid–induced changes in gene expression include the nuclear receptors PPAR, HNF-4α, and LXR, as well as the transcription factors SREBP and NF-κB. Not only do these factors mediate the effects of fatty acids, but there are also examples of crosstalk between them, making fatty acid regulation of gene expression a much more complicated story. The field is not without discrepancies, and it is probable that novel transcription factors and signaling mechanisms will be identified as our understanding of the topic grows.
The research on nuclear effects of fatty acids has certainly progressed well beyond its infancy. However, the increasing prevalence of obesity and lipid-related disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease has no doubt intensified the search for new compounds, both pharmacological and nutritional, to manage these conditions. Now more than ever, there is a need to understand the changes that contribute to the development of metabolic disease. The coming years should bring a greater understanding of the mechanisms and pathways involved in the development of such diseases and an unraveling of the roles of various dietary fats in promoting or abating diet-induced disease.
Research References
As always with these reviews, these are my takeaways from the article and I encourage you to read the article in its entirety. The references used in this article by the authors of this article are listed here.
Our Message
Our Chiropractors in McKinney, located near the corner of Eldorado Pkwy. and Ridge Rd, teach our patients the link between how you eat and how your choices can effect your health. We also know that to keep pain away and stay healthy you must put the right nutrients in your body while also having a positive mindset. We are committed to getting rid of back pain, neck pain and headaches with chiropractic adjustments and exercise. And remember, The Right Balance of Omega 3 & 6!