Aminos, Proteins & Essential Fats
The modern diet is known to contain an abundance of pro-inflammatory omega-6 (n-6) fatty
acids and too few omega-3 fatty acids. From a clinical perspective, it is helpful to consider that
NSAIDs, selectiveCOX2 inhibitors, Tylenol, and Singulair each functions to inhibit the
conversion of a diet-derived n-6 fatty acid(arachidonic) into a pro-inflammatory eicosanoid such
as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4
(LTB4). In other words, the food we eat leads to the production of eicosanoids for which
medications are prescribed. Grains, seeds, and seed oils contain almost exclusively omega-6
fatty acids. Oil from corn, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, peanut and soybean are consumed
in excess by most people and represent
the most substantial sources of linoleic acid. Grain-fed obese meat, chicken skin, farm-raised
tilapia and farm-raised catfish are the most substantial sources of arachidonic acid. And high
glycemic index/load foods such as sugar and flour facilitate the conversion of DGLA into
arachidonic acid. Therefore, in addition to eating less n-6 calories and more n-3 calories, it is
advisable to take an n-3 fish oil supplement.
