Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Nourishing fats & oils have many important nourishing affects in the body including supporting proper inflammatory response, ensuring fat soluble nutrient absorption, keeping blood lipids in balance, reducing pain signaling and more. There are many nourishing compounds in fats and oils many of which you are probably already familiar with such as Omega 3, 6 and 9. Omega 3’s are commonly low in the US as we have lower levels of omega 3 rich foods like wild caught fish, flax and walnuts. Deficiency in omega 3 fatty acids is common with gut dysfunction and autoimmune issues as our bodies utilize higher amounts of omega 3’s in these states. But diets low in omega 3’s can escalate the inflammatory cycle rather than calm the storm.
Omega 3 Deficiency signs:
- Dry skin (most obvious)
- Soft, peeling or brittle nails
- Trouble focusing
- Trouble sleeping
- Joint pain
- Low mood or anxiety
Reflect: Take a moment to access the oils you are consuming in your diet
- Are you getting nourishing fats in your diet like flax, walnuts, avocados?
- Are you getting ample amounts of nourishing oils like olive oil, avocado oil & walnut oil?
- Am I aware of how to use the oils I cook with? (We recommend having avocado oil and olive oil on hand!)