Optimize Omega-3 Through Balance

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Alpha linoleic acid (ALA), an essential omega-3 fatty acid from plants, can be converted to the more bioactive forms EPA and DHA in the body. However, many individuals are inefficient at converting ALA to DHA. This inefficiency has led to a debate on whether DHA should also be classified as an essential fatty acid, especially for those with diets low in fatty fish. The metabolic pathway for this conversion is competitive, as the same enzymes that process ALA also metabolize omega-6 fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid. High dietary intake of linoleic acid inhibits the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA. Research shows that reducing linoleic acid intake can enhance EPA levels in the bloodstream, suggesting that managing omega-6 consumption can improve omega-3 status.

Episode #294. Hit the ground running in 2024 by pressing play on this must-listen episode. Hear the most valuable insights from 19 guests of The Proof, all packed into one episode that brings you the best of each one. 2023 was absolutely loaded with expert advice from some of the best researchers and practitioners in the world, and this episode combines many of them to bring you a powerful tool to have in your arsenal.

This episode will take you on a curated journey through 2023’s most important moments, including the must-knows about nutrition, fats, cardiovascular health, metabolic health, cancer and nutrition, and gut health.

You’ll hear from: Dr Alan Flanagan, Dr Ayesha Sherzai, Dr Christopher Gardner, Dr Dena Sherzai, Dr Gil Carvalho, Dr Inigo San Millan, Dr Joel Fuhrman, Dr Krystle Zuniga, Dr Matthew Nagra, Dr Mohammed Alo, Dr Neil Iyengar, Dr Philip Calder, Dr Roy Taylor, Dr Stephan Guyenet, Dr Suzanne Devkota, Dr Thomas Dayspring, Dr Urvi Shah, Dr Walter Willet, and Dr Will Bulsiewicz.

We discuss:

Intro (00:00)
The dangers of misinformation (01:30)
Which Foods Should You Eat to Stay Healthy? (05:17)
Does the Quality of Foods Matter? (07:38)
The Impact of the Average American Diet on Health (09:28)
Do We Have Sufficient Evidence on How Nutrition Impacts Our Health? (12:04)
How different diets measure up to health guidelines (15:11)
Practical insights for doctors and patients (23:08)
Saturated fat misunderstandings: Is saturated fat bad? (25:32)
Understanding Essential Fats: Why are They Vital? (30:18)
Low Conversion Rates: From ALA to EPA & DHA Explained (34:29)
The Importance of Monitoring Omega 6 Intake (39:52)
Keeping the brain healthy with omega 3 fatty acids (43:45)
Biochemical Analysis in Three Cohort Observations of Walter Willet's Studies (56:54)
Are Low-Fat Diets Good for Cardiovascular Health? (01:02:12)
Polyunsaturated Fats and Cardiovascular Disease (01:04:14)
Benefits of Switching from Saturated Fat to Unsaturated Fats (01:09:51)
Which popular diets are truly heart-healthy? (01:10:23)
Atherosclerosis and the role of lipids (01:18:22)
The tests helpful in predicting cardiovascular disease risk (01:31:24)
Cardiac Imaging: Understanding Imaging Tests (01:43:34)
Can we take drugs that raise HDL to lower cardiovascular disease risk? (01:52:17)
Metabolic Health, Mitochondria, and Nutrition (02:00:37)
Twin cycle hypothesis (02:07:17)
Linking Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Type 2 Diabetes (02:18:56)
How Weight Reduction Can Be Revolutionary in Reversing Diabetes (02:31:36)
Main drivers of type 2 diabetes (02:38:56)
The role of nutrition in cancer treatment (02:45:56)
Plant-based diet vs ketogenic diet (02:50:12)
Can food act as medicine? (02:55:54)\
Nutrition priorities during cancer treatment (03:05:36)
Dietary patterns and FODMAP intolerance (03:08:33)
Effects of antibiotics to gut the microbiome (03:16:41)
Analysing Kevin Hall's Research: Plant-Based Diet vs. Alternative Diets (03:23:37)
Outro (03:33:38)

To connect with this episode’s featured guests, head to the full show notes. Make sure to keep an eye out for part two of this series.

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