Author: Dr. Rehan Lakhani, ND
Dr. Rehan is a Collingwood naturopath who provides evidence-based care to those struggling with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, autoimmune disease, brain fog, chronic pain, fatigue, anxiety, and all things related to your gut health. Click here to schedule a free consult with our doctors.
Omega 3 fatty acids are a potent anti-inflammatory supplement, but do we need omega 6 and omega 9 as well? We’ve seen this supplement increasing in popularity at our local grocery stores and pharmacies, and it’s got us scratching our heads over at Georgian Bay Integrative Medicine. We hate to see anyone wasting their money on a supplement they don’t need, so keeping reading to find out where we stand and why!
Omega 3
Omega 3 fatty acids are part of our cell membranes and help reduce high cholesterol, decrease inflammatory pain, improve fatty liver, memory and concentration.
Omega 6
Omega 6 fatty acids can also help reduce heart disease, reduce cancer risk, and improve cholesterol.
Omega 9
Omega 9 fatty acids are beneficial for your health, but NOT required from an external source because your body can make it on it’s own.
Why You Don’t Need to Take an Omega 3-6-9 Supplement
Omega 3 and 6 are “essential” nutrients, which means your body can’t make these and you must get them from your diet.
Omega 3 dosage in a 3-6-9 supplement is too low to achieve therapeutic effect (meaning you’ll receive the desired positive result by taking it).
Omega 6 is found in ample amounts in our diet. While it is a potent anti-inflammatory, getting too much of it actually increases inflammation, leading to or exacerbating chronic disease.
Currently we get a 1:20 ratio of omega 3 to 6 from our diet, meanwhile our bodies are designed to handle a 1:1 ratio. Thus, supplementing with omega 6 is entirely unnecessary.
Omega 9 fatty acids are “non-essential”, which means our bodies can make them – so why would you supplement them? It’s a waste of money for a supplement you don’t need.
Omega 3 fatty acids are essential, and required by the body to achieve an anti-inflammatory effect.
Do you take them?
Reach out to your healthcare provider or click below to meet with Dr. Rehan for a personalized plan for skin health & reducing inflammation, inside and out!