Fish oils- and their chemical cousins found in plants- are among the greatest nutritional stories of our times. The oils in specific plants and fish are so important that they are called essential fatty acids. Specific fatty acids modify inflammation and help treat such conditions as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and arthritis. They are even crucial for the development of nerve and brain function in infants. Fish oils are actually absorbed directly into the outer fatty layer of every cell, where they act as a kind of cellular cushion or barrier, protecting each cell from the outside environment- like a moat around a castle. Recently fat has become a dirty work, but in truth, fats are life's lubricants and energy powerhouses. We need fats for optimal health, and women in particular need fats to build their hormones. However, there are a variety of fats, some good, some bad. Here's a brief guide.

Saturated fats are either derived from animal sources or have been artificially saturated by the food industry. They can promote free radical damage and clog the arteries. In saturated fats - such as those found in meat and cheese- every carbon atom is completely saturated with all the hydrogen it can carry. It is a solid, thick fat, like the yellowy fat you find in chicken and beef. This fat is known to be a major risk factor in raising cholesterol levels.

Trans-saturated fats do not exist in nature but are artificially produced. In America, margarine contains trans-saturated fats (in Europe, this is not the case; the trans-saturated fats have been eliminated). Oil is manufactured to harden at room temperature and have a long shelf life, but in the body it is harmful. It actually blocks your cells' use of essential fatty acids. This fat should be avoided whenever possible.

Unsaturated fats are foudn in most oils. They are called unsaturated or polyunsaturated because many of the carbon atoms are "empty" and don't carry hydrogen. Corn oil is a common unsaturated fat, along with safflower, soybean, and other vegetable oils. When used in cooking, they easily become oxidized and create free radicals. High amounts of unsaturated fats were once thought to be healthy, but they are now believed to contribute to a variety of illnesses, including heart disease and cancer.

Monounsaturated fats such as oilve oil are good for your health. They contain the fatty acid known as oleic acid. It has 18 carbon atoms and only 16 hydrogen atoms, which makes the fat less solid. It flows easily at room temperature.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are unsaturated; they are so important to health that I put them in their own category.

Two important forms of omega-3 fatty acids come in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel. (Other fish, though offering a healthy form of protein, are not high in omega-3s. These less fatty fish, such as flounder, simply do not provide beneficial amounts.) They are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Symptoms of EPA and DHA deficiency often include allergies, inflammation, and dry skin. Prolonged deficiences can lead to serious autoimmune diseases. Omega-6s have a wide variety of effects.

FISH OILS and CANCER: I consider fish oils an absolutely essential supplement for my patients with a history of cancer. Cancer cells can grow and spread by creating inflammation. Research suggests that essential fatty acids slow down cancer growth, impairing the malignant cells' ability to function efficiently. In one study, increasing the proportion of red blood cell omega-6 fatty acids significantly reduced the risk of prostate cancer. Another study showed that fish oil may protect against colon cancer, and a study reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can suppress breast cancer cell growth.

Paperchase ref: 98279221 Calder, PC., et al. "Dietary fish oil suppresses human colon tumor growth in athymic mice" Clin Sci (Colch) (1998 Mar)

Paperchase ref: 99150464 Hamid, R., et al. "Inhibition by dietary menhaden oil of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in N-nitrosomethylurea-induced rat mammary tumors." In J Oncol) (1999 Mar)

Paperchase ref: 98330309 Singh, J., et al. "Dietary fish oil inhibits the expression of farnesyl protein transferase and colon tumor development in rodents." Carcinogenesis (1998 Jun)

Paperchase ref: 98159820 Hubbard, NE., et al. "Alteration of murine mammary tumor genesis by dietary enrichment with n-3 fatty acids in fish oil." Cancer Lett (1998 Feb 13)

For more information on nutraceuticals that prevent and reverse disease read "The Nutraceutical Revolution" by Dr. Richard Firshein.

by Dr. Richard Firshein