Dr. Bill Harris, a leading expert in nutrition, joins renowned health strategists Dr. Joel Fuhrman and brain health specialists Dr. Ayesha and Dr. Dean Sherzai. They dive into the vital roles of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, challenging misconceptions about omega-6s and their importance during pregnancy. The conversation explores the complexities of omega-3 metabolism, the impact of diet on cognitive and cardiovascular health, and the critical balance needed for optimal well-being, especially for those at risk of neurological diseases.

Dr. Bill Harris, a renowned researcher, discusses the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for heart health, brain health, and longevity. Topics include omega-3's correlation to longer life spans, reduced rates of depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's, and chronic inflammation. They also explore the impact of omega-3 on blood lipids, the decline in omega-3 intake in North America, the importance of fish intake and supplementation, and issues of sourcing and fraud in the global supply chain for food products.

In this episode, Bill Harris, Ph.D. in human nutrition and expert on omega-3 fatty acids, sets the table by clearly defining the families of fatty acids (saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated) before diving into the current landscape of polyunsaturated fat (omega-6 and omega-3) with a particular focus on EPA and DHA (the two main elements of fish oil supplements). Bill gives a historical overview, updates us on the latest science related to the health benefits, and provides plenty of insights as to how we should think about increasing our EPA and DHA intake. We discuss: Bill’s long history of studying fatty acids [6:30]; Defining the fatty acids—SFA, MUFA, PUFA, omega-3, omega-6, and more [9:45]; What is the significance of fatty acids? Why should we care? [19:45]; History of fat phobia, saturated fat, and does PUFA reduce cholesterol? [23:45]; Breaking down the conversion process of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids including how we get to EPA and DHA [28:00]; Takeaway from Bill’s 1980 study looking at how salmon oil affected cholesterol and triglyceride levels [36:15]; History of our understanding of omega-3 and its effect on LDL cholesterol [45:00]; Prescribed fish oil drugs vs. OTC supplements—Differences and recommended brands [52:00]; Health benefits of EPA [57:45]; Potential benefits of ALA and how it compares to taking EPA and DHA directly [1:12:45]; Health benefits of DHA [1:17:15]; Cell membrane omega-3 index—What is it, the role of genetics, how to increase it, and a recommended target [1:19:00]; Is EPA or DHA neuroprotective? Can it help with depression? [1:23:30]; Recommended fish to eat for EPA and DHA - Any mercury concerns? [1:25:45]; Can omega-3 mitigate risks associated with smoking? [1:29:15]; The problem with the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio [1:30:00]; The problem with labeling any kind of fatty acid as “bad” [1:36:00]; Why increasing EPA and DHA intake matters more than reducing omega-6 intake [1:38:00]; Important takeaway from the VITAL study [1:46:30]; Importance of testing your omega-3 index [1:53:00]; Exciting study coming out soon, and why you need to take your fish oil with food [1:57:15]; and More. Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode: https://peterattiamd.com/billharris Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

Bill Harris, PhD is an internationally recognized expert on omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil. He has more than 300 publications relating to fatty acids, including omega-3s, in the medical literature.

Dr. William ("Bill") Harris is one of the world's preeminent experts in the field of omega-3 fatty acid research. His work has focused on the roles that fatty acids in play in cardiovascular and neurocognitive health. The author of more than 300 scientific papers on fatty acids and health, Dr. Harris is a professor in the Department of Medicine in the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota, the co-inventor of the Omega-3 Index, founder of OmegaQuant Analytics, and president and founder of the Fatty Acid Research Institute. In this episode, Dr. Harris and I discuss… (00:00) Introduction (06:36) Early studies on omega-3s, dietary fats, and cholesterol  (14:44) Omega-3s may normalize bleeding times  (20:33) Plant-based omega-3s are not equivalent in power to marine omega-3s  (25:23) Genetic engineering of plants is needed for sustainable omega-3s in the future (27:18) The omega-3 index reveals individual variations in omega-3 needs (32:13) Red blood cell concentration of omega-3s better reflect long-term omega-3 status (36:41) Genetic variants influence omega-3 dietary needs (54:20) The omega-3 index may predict life expectancy (01:05:03) How metabolites of omega-3 reduce and resolve inflammation (01:17:11) High omega-3 concentrations halve the risk of COVID-19 death (01:20:10) DHA may help keep the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from entering cells (01:22:50) Concerns over the omega-6/omega-3 ratio may be unfounded Looking for more?  Join over 300,000 people and get the latest distilled information on sleep, depression, and fasting straight to your inbox weekly: https://www.foundmyfitness.com/newsletter Become a FoundMyFitness premium member to get access to exclusive episodes, emails, live Q+A’s with Rhonda and more: https://www.foundmyfitness.com/crowdsponsor