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The importance of your Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio
  • Health

Omega-3 vs Omega-6

Katie WellsMar 17, 2014Updated: May 22, 2020
Reading Time: 6 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Health » Omega-3 vs Omega-6
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Omega-3 Fats
  • Omega-6 Fats
  • Why the Ratio Matters
  • The Bottom Line

My post about why you should never eat vegetable oil or margarine talked about the important ratio of Omega-3 (n-3) and Omega-6 (n-6) fats in the body, but this topic is important enough to deserve its own post.

Vegetable oils are dangerous for many reasons, including that they can easily go rancid, they are processed with chemicals, and they can turn in to trans fats when heated. Vegetable oils are also high in Omega-6 fats and proportionately low in Omega-3 fats. Why does this matter?

Omega-3 Fats

Omega-3 fats have gotten a lot of good press for their many benefits to the body and with good reason. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that Omega-3 fatty acids may be useful for:

  • Reducing the risk of heart disease and causes of death associated with heart disease
  • Reducing severity of symptoms associated with diabetes
  • Reducing pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis
  • Reducing risk of osteoporosis and bone loss
  • Improving health and reducing symptoms for those with autoimmune disease
  • Helping those with anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder
  • Reducing risk of various types of cancers
  • Improving cognitive function

The body does not make Omega-3 fatty acids so they must be obtained from foods. As this article from the Harvard School of Public Health explains:

“There are two major types of omega-3 fatty acids in our diets: One type is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is found in some vegetable oils, such as soybean, rapeseed (canola), and flaxseed, and in walnuts. ALA is also found in some green vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach, and salad greens. The other type, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is found in fatty fish. The body partially converts ALA to EPA and DHA.”

It has often been assumed that either source (plant or fish) is sufficient, but Chris Kresser shows why this is not the case:

However, research clearly indicates that the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is extremely limited. Less than 5% of ALA gets converted to EPA, and less than 0.5% (one-half of one percent) of ALA is converted to DHA.

In other words: while it is a great idea to eat green leafy vegetables (which provide ALA), it is also important to consume fatty fish as a source of EPA and DHA. Science has shown that EPA and DHA are especially important while pregnant and many prenatal vitamins contain them, but it is preferable to obtain them from food.

From Chris Kresser again:

“Several other observations support the hypothesis that DHA is essential:

  • DHA content in the tissues of all mammals is very similar despite widely varying intakes of omega-3 fatty acids. 1
  • DHA and AA, but not other omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids, are selectively transferred across the placenta
  • 60% of the dry matter of the brain is lipid, and DHA and AA are the most abundant fatty acids of brain phospholipids
  • DHA status in newborns is much lower in those receiving formula with LA and ALA, than in those receiving milk or formula with pre-formed DHA”

It is pretty well established that Omega-3 fats are important for health, but how much should a person take and what is the best way to obtain these fats? That actually depends on the amount of Omega-6 fatty acids in the diet:

Omega-6 Fats

Scientists estimate that our ancestors consumed Omega-6 and Omega-3 fats in a ratio of close to 1:1. As vegetable oil consumption and processed grain consumption have risen, so has the ratio of n-6 to n-3 fats.

Vegetable oils are very high in Omega-6 fats:

  • Safflower oil is 75% Omega-6 and 0% Omega-3
  • Sunflower, Corn, Cottonseed and Soybean oils are all more than 50% Omega-6 fats with 0% Omega-3s
  • Fish oils are 100% Omega-3 and 0% Omega-6

Think about how many foods the average American consumes that contains vegetable oils, soy or processed grains compared to foods that contain fatty fish or fish oils. It is easy to see why it is now estimated that we consume (on average) a 12:1 ratio of n-6 to n-3 foods.

Why the Ratio Matters

Chris Kresser explains that Omega-3s and Omega-6s compete for the enzymes needed for digestion and that:

“In plain english, what this means is that the more omega-3 fat you eat, the less omega-6 will be available to the tissues to produce inflammation. Omega-6 is pro-inflammatory, while omega-3 is neutral. A diet with a lot of omega-6 and not much omega-3 will increase inflammation. A diet of a lot of omega-3 and not much omega-6 will reduce inflammation.”

As I showed in previous posts about vegetable oil consumption and heart disease, as rates of vegetable oil and sugar consumption have risen, so have rates of heart disease and many other health problems (in fact, the graphs look almost identical). During this same time, consumption of foods that contain saturated fats and Omega-3 fats has decreased:

why soy oil is bad for you
why not to eat canola oil
Wheat flour and heart disease
Sugar consumption and heart disease correlation

At the same time, this happened:

number of deaths
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Of course, correlation doesn’t equal causation, but it worth a second look when we have rising rates of heart disease, cancer, obesity and many other health problems.

Chris Kresser (seriously, go read his entire site) sums it up perfectly:

“The relationship between intake n-6 fats and cardiovascular mortality is particularly striking. The following chart, from an article entitled Eicosanoids and Ischemic Heart Disease by Stephan Guyenet, clearly illustrates the correlation between a rising intake of n-6 and increased mortality from heart disease:

Omega-3 vs Omega-6

As you can see, the USA is right up there at the top with the highest intake of n-6 fat and the greatest risk of death from heart disease.

On the other hand, several clinical studies have shown that decreasing the n-6:n-3 ratio protects against chronic, degenerative diseases. One study showed that replacing corn oil with olive oil and canola oil to reach an n-6:n-3 ratio of 4:1 led to a70% decrease in total mortality. That is no small difference.”

The Bottom Line

It is important to get Omega-3 fats and Omega-6 fats in a healthy balance, and as close to a 1:1 ratio as possible. This can certainly be difficult with out modern food supply and many doctors and health practitioners recommend taking an Omega-3 supplement if needed.

Personally, I try to eat fatty fish at least once or twice a week and I take supplemental forms of Omega-3 from quality sources, especially when pregnant or nursing. Some other steps that can help this ratio (and overall health:

  1. Avoid Vegetable Oils and Products Containing Them– These oils mess up the balance of protective Omega-3 fatty acids and potentially dangerous Omega-6 fatty acids in the body. They also contribute to inflammation and arterial damage. There is no reason that you need to consume these oils at any point… ever!
  2. Eat Lots of Saturated Fats and Other Healthy Fats– As studies have yet to link saturated fat intake with heart disease, and in fact, many prove the opposite, getting enough saturated fat from sources like animal fats, coconut oil, raw organic dairy, etc is essential to give the body all the building blocks it needs for proper cell and hormone function.
  3. Optimize Vitamin D and Fat Soluble Vitamins- Fat soluble vitamins in proper amounts in the body have a protective effect on tissues and organs (including the heart). If you’ve been on a law-fat diet or used sunscreen all your life, you could be seriously deficient in vitamin D, so consider getting your blood levels tested.
  4. Get Enough Omega-3s- These help balance out the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio in the body and prevent inflammation. Omega-3s also can thin the blood and keep it from clotting too regularly, a risk factor in heart disease. Having a proper Omega-3 balance also helps keep triglyceride levels in check.
  5. Exercise– You’ve heard this one before, yet most of us don’t get enough exercise in. Exercise helps strengthen the heart and tone muscles. It increases circulation and reduces stress hormones- all good things to help reduce your risk of heart disease.
  6. Reduce Stress and Get Enough Sleep– High stress levels and lack of sleep can both increase inflammation and stress hormones in the body. Both are also linked to higher levels of many diseases, including heart disease, and increased overall mortality.

Do you take Omega 3 or Omega 6? Share below!

Sources

-Whole Health Source: The Omega Ratio

-Chris Kresser: How too much Omega-6 and not enough Omega-3 is making us sick.

-Chris Kresser: Why Fish Stomps Flax as a Source of Omega-3

-Angerer P, von Schacky C. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the cardiovascular system. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2000;11(1):57-63.

-Berbert AA, Kondo CR, Almendra CL et al. Supplementation of fish oil and olive oil in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Nutrition. 2005;21:131-6.

-Goldberg RJ, Katz J. A meta-analysis of the analgesic effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for inflammatory joint pain. Pain. 2007 Feb 28.

-Mori TA. Omega-3 fatty acids and blood pressure. Cell Mol Biol (Nosiy-le-grand). 2010; 56(1):83-92.

–Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the food chain in the United States.

–Am J Clin Nutr January 2000 vol. 71 no. 1 179S-188S

-The importance of the ratio of Omega-6/Omega-3 fatty acids. Biomed Pharmacother. 2002 Oct;56(8):365-79.

Category: Health

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (37 Comments)

  1. denise bauchens

    March 23, 2014 at 1:48 PM

    I have a severe allergy to shell fish so to be on the safe side I don’t eat any fish. I have had reactions to other fishes at times. Please tell me what would be my best whole food options other than fish.

    Reply
  2. Carolyn German

    March 20, 2014 at 7:54 AM

    hi Katie!!
    what are you toughts on avocado oil? Costco sells this naturally refined avocado oil by chosen foods proven to cook up to 500 f, do you think could be good for cooking besides coconut oil ? please I really need your answer… thanks I appreciate

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      March 20, 2014 at 9:53 PM

      It is ok for heating but you would still also want to consume some saturated fats

      Reply
  3. Monica

    March 19, 2014 at 3:29 AM

    Hi Katie,

    I am loving your blog! So helpful!

    I was wondering if there are certain types of fish that you do and don’t eat. I have been concerned about eating too much fish with all the polluted waters, mercury, etc. How do you find high-quality fish?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Melisa

    March 18, 2014 at 10:44 PM

    Are there vegan sources of omega-3? From this I gather the Plant based ALA is not as good but I’d like to know what is best or if there is a Vegan supplement.

    Reply
  5. Katie

    March 18, 2014 at 5:35 PM

    Hi Katie,

    Thanks so much for your great content. I’ve recently added a lot of high-quality saturated fats to my diet based on information from Chris Kresser and the Paleo/Bulletproof communities. It’s been great to follow you as well – a great example of how a woman/mother can use this lifestyle.

    Of is common, my family and friends have some skepticism towards diet so I do a lot of defending. I came across this study recently regarding saturated fats: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24550191. Just curious whether you have any input or thoughts on this.

    Thanks again for sharing your story!

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      March 18, 2014 at 10:13 PM

      If you look at the study, they are feeding muffins with unspecified saturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. consuming grains/refined carbohydrates with certain forms of saturated fats is not a good idea, but the fact that both groups gained visceral fat is more an indication that the other ingredients in the muffins are suspect. Additionally, the study only lasted 7 weeks and was done on a statistically insignificant number of people (39) without mention of any other habits they had during that time period. Studies like this are great for scare tactics but don’t tell much in terms of long term health markers.

      Reply
      • darrin

        April 4, 2014 at 11:34 PM

        thx for the post Katie,

        just re your comment above “…both groups gained visceral fat…” in ref to the https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24550191 overfeeding study…

        do you have access to the full study (need to pay to access), from the abstract i could only see this bit “…overeating SFA promotes hepatic and visceral fat storage whereas excess energy from PUFA may instead promote lean tissue in healthy humans.”

        Reply
  6. Kate

    March 18, 2014 at 1:16 PM

    Katie, what are your thoughts on Evening Primrose Oil? I take 2 caps a day ( epo I take is quality kind too) for cervical mucus purpose.

    Reply
  7. stephanie

    March 18, 2014 at 12:21 PM

    What oil do you suggest for cooking instead of vegetable oil?

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      March 18, 2014 at 10:23 PM

      Coconut 🙂

      Reply
      • Alicia

        March 23, 2014 at 9:47 AM

        Do you use any other types of oil for cooking? Coconut is too sweet for me in most dishes.

        Reply
        • Katie - Wellness Mama

          March 27, 2014 at 2:18 PM

          Tallow, Lard and Palp (sustainable) also work well

          Reply
        • Carlyle

          April 17, 2014 at 8:53 PM

          Also Sesame Oil can be a good alternative, as it can tolerate being heated. You might also try cooking with broth, which removes the oil issue altogether. Thanks

          Reply
  8. james buckey

    March 18, 2014 at 7:59 AM

    why do all these articles stating facts about Omega 3 and its proper ratios ALWAYS leave out hemp. Hemp oil and/or hemp seed itself is already naturally balanced as the body needs it. Hemp tastes exponentially better than fish and is a complete protein with all amino acids with a balanced amount of fiber is basically a complete food by itself.

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      March 18, 2014 at 10:29 PM

      Help oil contains ALA fats (in good ratio) but doesn’t have DHA and EPA (those are found in fish). The body *can* convert ALA to DHA and EPA but as the Chris Kresser article explains above, this doesn’t happen in a high enough ratio to give us the DHA and EPA we need.

      Reply
      • Michelle

        March 29, 2014 at 9:41 AM

        Due to the cost of mercury-free cod liver oil and the fact that many of our seas are already over-fished (especially the North Atlantic) I have looked into organic flax seed oil as an alternative. Are their the same issues with flax seed as hemp oil?

        Reply
        • Katie - Wellness Mama

          March 29, 2014 at 9:24 PM

          It is also primarily ALA and not DHA or EPA

          Reply
        • Matt Carter

          March 13, 2015 at 5:28 PM

          I myself cook with Cocout oil and supplement all my other oils with Hemp Oil, Hemp Seed, and Norwegian Cod Liver oil.

          Reply
  9. Zoe

    March 18, 2014 at 7:33 AM

    What do you think are the best supplemental sources for Omega-3? Krill oil? Fermented cod liver oil? Something else? I’m in the market for one but not sure what to get.

    Reply
  10. Erin

    March 18, 2014 at 6:45 AM

    Can I ask what supplemental forms of Omega-3 from quality sources you take? Also, how can you get your kids to take this? I have a 4 year old and 2 year old and I have the hardest time getting them to take fermented cod liver oil, etc. they taste it on food and wont eat it. Thanks for all you do!!

    Reply
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