Big Fat Feature
part one
In a time long ago, evolution seemed quite slow, so our diets had to change
if we were to grow!
Fortunately we found fats were the way to go!
By Inga Yandell
New Respect for Ancient Wisdom
Before the study of early human nutrition became popular, the common perspective on dietary fats were negative to say the least.
The consensus being that a person who maintained a healthy weight and remained relatively disease free, did so by consuming a high
carbohydrate low fat diet. Although scientists uncovered a class of metabolites called prostaglandins now called eicosanoids (compounds
produced in the body from dietary fats) in the 1930’s the significance of dietary fats was not yet understood.
Perceptions began to change in 1970 when Dr. Dyerberga and fellow countrymen Hans Olaf Bang and Aase Brondum Nielsen conducted
a study that helped distinguish between essential fats. The men were intent on discovering how the indigenous people on the North-West
Coast of Greenland, the Inuit’s, were able to consume a high-fat diet with little incidence of heart disease. After analyzing blood samples
to determine blood lipid levels, which were impressively low, they discovered the presence of two fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). From this point on omega 3 became associated with a variety of health benefits and fats were afforded a
new appreciation. Since then more than 14,000 papers have been published on the topic including close to to 8,000 human studies
indicating the potential for essential fatty acids to impact human longevity and vitality. Finally vindicating the nutritional importance of
fats in the diet.
Whilst our understanding and appreciation for essential fats has came about in more recent times, those who study primitive tribes and
indigenous cultures are able to trace the presence of dietary fats back to the prehistoric era.
The elements of existence:
In the beginning earth evolved from a combination of essential ingredients created by the ecosphere. Carbon combined with various other
compounds including amino acids gave life to basic organisms. These organisms originated in the ocean where they feed off organic
matter and provided a source of food for other life forms.
In order to survive these organisms had to adapt or evolve and soon were able to use sunlight in combination with the elements on earth to
synthesize inorganic material. Over the next several billion years, many more molecules - amino acids, lipids, vitamins, and minerals
formed and helped construct the countless forms of life. In turn, these life forms became dependent on essentially the same group of
nutrients. Of these nutrients it appears as though essential fatty acids are the most influential, involved in the formation of crucial
components in our brain’s cell membranes and the photo receptors in our eyes.
EFA’s not only helped our brains to evolve but created the first hormones, called eicosanoids, 550 million years ago. These hormones
require omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to synthesize which is why the amount and ratio of these nutrients determines our physical health.
Unfortunately times have changed and our current resources don’t provide the same balance of omega 3 to omega 6 that promoted our
evolution in the first place.
With the introduction of agriculture some 10,000 years ago, humans began to consume more fats from seeds and less from leafy greens.
This is where the problem lies, since omega 3 is only effective when omega 6 is not allowed to dominate, which is the case when our diets
comprise of mostly seed or grain based foods. Even if you take a supplement of omega 3 it will not provide the benefits possible if your
body is already saturated in omega 6. Popular for their negative effect on cholesterol levels, polyunsaturated fats have found a common
place in modern diets but the heavy reliance of vegetable oils and grain feed produce has come at a cost. Today many of our ailments can
be traced to excessive amounts of omega 6 and insufficient amounts of omega 3 (one canceling out the other).
In the book The Queen of Fats author Susan Allport provides an impressive account on our history with fats and although the picture is
far from over, our need for quality information with such sensible direction is none the less relevant and what we have learnt about omega 3
and omega 6 essential fatty acids suggests our health would benefit from a better balance of the two.
Whilst an optimal ratio is still undetermined, it is thought that our ancestors evolved under conditions where they were about equal.
Current guidelines and trends report a much higher ratio of omega 6 to omega 3, between 20:1 and 50:1, associated with an increase in
disease. It seems the safest solution is to seek foods and supplements with equal ratios of both fats or with a higher content of omega 3.
The Ultimate Oil Blend:
For a quality supplement with a favorable ratio of 2:1 omega 3 to omega 6, you might consider Udo’s Choice Ultimate Blend. Created by
Udo Erasmus an international authority on fats, oils, cholesterol and human health, using pioneer technology for pressing and packaging
edible, fresh oils to exclude the three main factors (light, oxygen and heat) that turn a nutritious oil into a toxic one. This blend is a favorite
for many athletes and is supported by studies that show improvements in stamina, energy, performance, sleep, concentration, mood and
skin appearance. Udo’s best-selling book entitled Fats that Heal and Fats that Kill earned him a PhD. in nutrition and helped change our
perceptions about fats.
You can learn more about Udo and his products from
www.udoerasmus.com and purchase his oils from
www.ntphealthproducts.com.au
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