Omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids…called essential as they are critical to the normal functioning of all tissues, but cannot be synthesized within the body. Therefore, they must be supplied through the diet. In truth, we tend to think we need to increase our consumption of omega-3’s and 6’s. In fact, most of us get more than adequate, even excessive amounts of omega-6’s in our diets. These are found in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils (corn, safflower,soybean,cottonseed,sesame,sunflower) and are used in nearly all saute’d foods, restaurant foods,dressings, condiments and flavored foods and are therefore quite abundant in our diets.
Omega-3 fatty acids on the other hand, are found in far less foods, and most people (especially as Americans) have a very low, even deficient intake of omega-3’s. Good sources of omega-3’s include ground flaxseeds, walnuts, fish, cherries, pumpkin seeds and berries. Flaxseeds must be ground or mealed in order for the body to absorb the omega-3’s from them, and this, along with fish oil, is the best source of omega-3 fatty acids.
The ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 in our diets, and therefore within the body, should be 1 : 1 to 1 : 4. However, as Americans our diets are typically 1 to 10 or 1 to 20, omega-3 to 6. This disproportion promotes inflammation, autoimmune disorders (allergies, rhematoid disorders, asthma, etc),decreased response to insulin (pre-diabetes), elevated LDL’s and cholesterol, and increased susceptibility to brain changes such as cognitive dysfunctions, depression, poor memory and early onset of dimentia. In other words, so many of the health conditions and disease states within our population at large, are to a great extent caused by, or at the least greatly contributed to, by a disproportion of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids,i.e. a dietary lack of omega-3 fatty acids.
The original intent of the Dr Will Bar formulation was to pack it with omega-3 fatty acids…so we started with ground flaxseed, the highest volume ingredient, each bar containing nearly a tablespoon. The pumpkin seeds and cherries contribute additional omega-3’s, along with other beneficial nutritional properties. Order your Dr Will Bars now!