Posts Tagged ‘essential fatty acids’

The paleo diet is also referred to as the caveman diet, Paleolithic diet, Stone Age diet, and hunter-gatherer diet. It is based on what we presume our very distant ancestors consumed.

Paleo Diet 101

A paleo diet is based on plants and animal protein. This diet consists mainly of meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, roots and nuts. It excludes grains, legumes, refined sugar, and processed oils. The paleo diet is a meat eaters paradise. A diet where you eat and get healthier.

The paleo diet 101 is the basic blueprint for a life free of chronic disease. All the press has been on the dangers eating too much meat. Now, lets bust that myth. We balance the bad press with the news that there is less to fear from animal protein, than from a diet of contrived food.

Low-Fat Diet

The current fad of low-fat diets has the American public suffering from more degenerative diseases than ever before. The dangers of low-fat foods is from the high sugar content and the lack of good fats.

The epidemic of degenerative diseases is on the increase, and so is the ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acid. The ratio is anywhere from 20:1 to 30:1, when it should be 3:1 or less. Omega-6s that have dominated our foods for the last 50 years.

Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids are not manufactured by the body and must be consumed in foods. Processed food and unnatural oils has changed the ratio and quality of the oils we consume. Manufactured food is high in Omega-6 fats. The modern diet is short on Omega-3 fatty acids. When the Omega-3 in the diet went down the heart disease and cancer rate went up. Omega 3’s best source are fatty fish and beef. Nuts, seeds, vegetables have some Omega-3, but are not the same as the long-chain Omega-3’s found in fatty fish and grass-fed-beef.

Grain-Fed Beef 

Grain-fed beef has an Omega 6:3 ratio of 20:1. This is the reason that meat is implicated in many of the diseases that are so prevalent today. The ideal ratio of Omega 3:1 equal to fish without mercury is found in grass-fed beef. People on the paleo diet consume grass-fed beef. Free roaming animals were the food of our distant ancestors.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid  

One of the big benefits of grass-fed beef and lamb is the presence of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). This is an essential fatty acid. CLA fights cancer, combats clogged arteries, and may prevent or delay diabetes. It is responsible for lowering cholesterol, lowers LDL, lower triglycerides and improves the cholesterol/HDL ratio. We can’t produce CLA and must get it from our diets.

CLA is also known for its ability to reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass. There are many clinical studies that have been published on the effect of CLA on weight management. Conjugated linoleic acid reduces fat and increases lean muscle mass.

Modern Diet

Today’s diet is high in manufactured food. Our modern diet supplies a high amount of Omega 6s in the form of processed wheat, corn rice, and oils, such as safflower, corn, soybean, etc. Grain-fed cattle consume all of these.

A low-fat diet is high in all of these processed foods that contain high amounts of Omega-6s, also known as the inflammatory diet.

Diet Paleo

Studies on mice and rats show that CLA hinders the growth of tumors in mammary, skin, and colon tissues. It has been shown that CLA can up-regulate the tumor suppressor gene PTPRG.

Studies have shown that CLA usage has a positive effect on the improvement of lean muscles, and reduced fat.

To diet paleo style seems to be a wise choice. We seem to be programmed for this, remember the margarine fiasco. The low fat diet, has one great draw back it depends on pre-packaged faux foods. The paleo diet is a whole foods diet that makes sense.

BACK PAIN

There aren’t many patients aware that for back pain natural solutions work better than pharmaceuticals. The feeling among many people who experience chronic back pain is that they are destined to be dependent on medication for a long time.

INFLAMMATION

Back pain is sometimes a symptom of chronic inflammation, or added pressure on the spine from extra weight. It is known that weight gain results in increased pressure to the spin. The heavier you are the greater the impact on the spine. It can cause degenerative changes in the vertebral column. This extra pressure can increase your risk of herniated disc, degenerative disks, and back strain. Weight puts extra pressure on the spine and over time their may be a wearing away of the disk, which increases your risk of a herniated disc-related sciatica.

OBESITY

It comes as no surprise that obesity can be a co-factor in the development of osteoarthritis in the spine. A well known fact is that when people lose weight, pain from OA diminishes. A large belly can pull your pelvis forward and increase the curve in your lower back. Children are not immune from some of these problems if they pack on too many pounds. Obesity affects the joints in children and may keep them from being active.

NATURAL SOLUTIONS

Natural solutions help by recognizing that the underlying structural foundation for both the spine and joints can be helped by both weight losses along with potent nutrients. Anti-inflammatory such as Omega 3, and Curcumin, and crucial sulfur compounds such as (msm), Glucosamine for joints are a natural approach. The first step is taking control of your body weight.

By conditioning the muscles that support the vertebrae you naturally increase the range of movement and functionality in the torso and spine. Nutrients can alleviant painful conditions, by modulating chronic inflammation. These are not quick fixes as they generally take a period of weeks to a few months, but they affect the underlying condition which the drugs are not capable of.

Nuts and seed oils, as well as fish oil, contain essential fatty acids which are converted to Prostaglandins, and these act as anti-inflammatory agents. Almonds, walnuts, and peanuts are high in magnesium which maintains muscle tone among other benefits. Chronic back pain is often related to abdominal muscle tone. A diet high in raw vegetables and fruits, and wholegrain provide the nutrients need to support muscle and nerve health.

Calcium and magnesium help alleviate muscle spasm, bioflavonoid, and vitamins C and E is useful for alleviating disk injuries. Back pain has natural solutions, which are easy on your stomach, good for your general health, and do not become additive.