21 mar 2013

ADHD Treatments: Is it time to make an oil change?



For quite some time now fats have generally speaking been given a bad reputation. The reality is that 80% of the wall of our cells is made of fat. Our brain is a big “blob” of fat, and those fats need to be “fresh and flexible”.
Nerve cells can only communicate optimally when they have the proper fat insulation. Our hormones are made of cholesterol.
This being said the proportion of the types of fats we eat, influences the health of our body. Certain fats get turned into anti-inflammatory molecules while others are turned into inflammation producing molecules.

Essential Fatty acids are called “essential” because the body cannot make them, we must get them from our diet. Essential fatty acids such as omega-6 and omega-3, should be consumed at a ratio of 3 omega 6 for every omega 3 (3:1). Unfortunately, our modern Western diet is deficient in omega-3 and has excessive amounts of omega-6 (this ratio can be up to 20 Ω6:1Ω3.)

Why is this a big deal? Because studies have shown that the balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is a determining factor in physical and mental well-being. This imbalance can cause a whole host of symptoms and disorders ; therefore it is essential to restore the balance.

In order to thrive, (and heal in particular the ADHD brain), and slow down the aging clock, we literally need to “make an oil change”.

The way we accomplish this is by first augmenting our omega 3 oil intake. How do we do that?
By eating fish twice a week such as sardines, mackerel, salmon, herring, trout, fresh cod fish, anchovies, boquerones, (Shell Fish, Tuna and Halibut have exceedingly high levels of mercury and chemicals. I do not recommend that your child eat them.) Start rotating your oils, meaning using different oils each day such as Flaxseed, Walnut, Linseed or Camelina oil; those oils are extremely sensitive to oxidation so do not heat them, protect them from daylight and keep them refrigerated. You can sprinkle, flax meal or blended chia seeds, on your veggies or salads.  Raw nuts (if you are not allergic) are an amazing snack.
The easiest strategy for the “oil change” is to take an oil supplements such as EYEQ from the Equazen laboratory, or DHA from Solaray.
In cases of Hormone imbalances or neurological problems I usually order a lab test, (red blood cell analysis), to determine exactly what type of omega 3 oil we need to “push”.
                                                                                                                                          

The next step is to reduce the intake of omega 6 oils.

You can accomplish this by decreasing your intake of vegetable oils such as: Sunflower, Safflower, Peanut and Corn oils, and if need be eliminate charcuterie (high in Arachidonic acid, an omega 6 oil) found in meats, smoked ham, cured ham, bacon, sausages, hot dogs, salami, lunch meats...

Finally you probably all know this by now, eliminate  “Trans” fats.
“Trans” fats are hydrogenated fats that are a few molecules away from being plastic! They lodge themselves in the brain and literally harden it! (I wonder if the term lard head applies here.) You can drastically reduce your exposure by avoiding foods such as fast food French fries, potato chips, sweets, cookies, and industrial mayonnaise and salad dressing. Read the labels to find out if what you are buying contains “trans”/ hydrogenated fats or not.

So no need to go to the mechanic, you can make an oil change right from the comfort of your kitchen! 
Dr Muriel Poli,D.C.

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