Good Fat, Bad Fat

Americans have become downright fat-phobic.

And with good reason: Scientists have pointed to fat as a possible cause for diseases ranging from heart disease to obesity to some cancers. In response, store shelves are now lined with fat-free potato chips, luncheon meats, and cookies, all concocted so people can literally have their cake and eat it too.

But being fat-healthy isn't just about avoiding the saturated fats found in meat and tropical oils. It's about making sure you're eating a good balance of the right kinds of fats. "It's not about good fats/bad fats, but consuming fats in the right amounts that counts," says dietitian Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D., author of The Nutrition Desk Reference.

Scientists have found that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, and even ease arthritis pain. On the other hand, people who have diets that are low in omega-3s and high in another fatty acid, omega-6 -- the typical American diet -- have higher rates of heart disease. "It's not so much that omega-6s are bad for us, it's just that the ratio is out of whack," Somer says.

Achieving a Healthy Ratio

So just how do people stack the odds -- or the ratio -- in their favor? It's as simple as cutting down on foods that are rich in omega-6s and eating more foods abundant in omega-3s. That means avoiding foods fried in vegetable oils such as corn and safflower, and eliminating processed foods, many of which contain omega-6s. Other sources of omega-6 fatty acids include meats, seeds, nuts, and grains. At the same time, boost the amount of omega-3s in your diet by eating more cold-water marine fish, such as salmon and mackerel, as well as green leafy vegetables. And use canola oil instead of vegetable oil for cooking.

Supplements Work, Too

For people who don't have access to omega-3-rich foods (or don't like fish), fish oil supplements are now an option. Previous studies indicated that fish oil supplements could pose a danger, but a recent study by William Connor, M.D., of Oregon Health Sciences University, shows that people can safely take up to eight grams a day. Getting omega-3s from natural food sources, however, should always be the first option, says Connor, who presented his research at the 1999 annual meeting of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

"It's better to eat food than take supplements," says Connor, who recommends people get two grams of omega-3 oil every day in order to reap its protective benefits. (Four ounces of salmon contains 2.3 to 3.6 grams of omega-3s, and four ounces of rainbow trout contains about one gram.)

More Reason for Omega-3s

Omega-3 fatty acids may also be an important component of the central nervous system, says Carol J. Lammi-Keefe, Ph.D., head of the nutritional sciences department at the University of Connecticut, who also presented her research at the ADA meeting.

In her study, Lammi-Keefe and her colleagues found that infants born of women with more omega-3s in their diet during pregnancy had more developed central nervous systems. The study results point to the possible role omega-3s play in the development and maintenance of the nervous system, says Lammi-Keefe, who recommends that pregnant women eat at least three servings of omega-3-rich fish every week.

Lammi-Keefe also plans to look into whether omega-3s are important in preventing memory loss and stemming the effects of Alzheimer's and other diseases related to the nervous system.

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