Subversive Health

Stary Skies:  Hubble infrared view of The Tarantula Nebula

In the past several centuries there were three major deficiency diseases: Beriberi, (lack of vitamin B1), Pellagra (lack of B3), and Scurvy (lack of vitamin C).

The first two were the result of a food processing change that saw the outer husks of grain removed and fed to chickens. The chickens stayed healthy while the humans grew sickly.

Today we are facing the results of a similar change in food processing and production. After World War II, the cheapness of grain– and thus its prevalence — led to a vast overconsumption of Omega 6 fatty acids. Omega 6 fats come from vegetable oils derived from the cheap grains and from animals fed on grains in feed lots or cages.  Instead of the desired dietary ratio of 1:1 —  one omega 3 to one omega 6 — we now have only 1 omega 3 for 25 or more omega 6. 

This excess of omega 6 results in widespread inflammation — now thought to be at the root of almost all modern ills. I’d list them but the list would be so extensive that no one would believe it. (See the Blaylock Wellness Report for March 2014.)

When I try to explain this ongoing series of discoveries, folks’ eyes glaze over. And, in truth, I had totally missed the scale of the problem. I now consider the best way to explain it is to say that a wide variety of our current illnesses seem to stem from an omega 3 deficiency.  (For historical background see Queen of Fats by Susan Allport.)

Of course, excess weight and sugar consumption are also “problems.” But now that I am stepping up my consumption of omega 3 fats (through PlusEPA and Vectomega DHA available through iHerb.com) my appetite is lower  and my relaxation quotient is up.

I don’t plan on waiting for medical education to “catch up” before taking better care of myself and my family.