Recently, my friend Natalie, a clinical nutritionist, told me about the relationship between Omega-3 fatty acids and bad hair days. Natalie said that skin and hair can be indicators of a fatty acid imbalance in your body. Clues that you may have a fatty-acid imbalance:
- dry or scaly skin
- soft or brittle nails
- unmanageable hair
- excessive thirst
- frequent infections
- poor wound healing
- dry eyes
- irritability
- hyperactivity
- weakness
- fatigue
Why are these indicators imporant? Because a fatty-acid imbalance has also been correlated with cancer and heart disease, as well as other issues. So what exactly is a fatty-acid imbalance? It means too much Omega-6 fatty acids (bad fats such as corn oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and squeeze margarines) in your diet–and not enough Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids (good fats) can be found in:
- fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel
- nuts
- olives, olive oil
- dark leafy-green vegetables
- avocados
- flaxseed
So, enjoy these foods. You’ll lower your bad cholesterol, raise your good cholesterol, and reduce inflammation of the arteries, thereby lowering your risk of heart disease. You’ll also lower your risk of diabetes and arthritis–and yes, even of bad hair days!
–
Mellanie True Hills is a women’s health expert who speaks and coaches individuals and organizations in creating healthy productivity. She is the author of A Woman’s Guide to Saving Her Own Life: The HEART Program for Health and Longevity
The toughest part for me, as an adult who has put my difficult childhood behind me, is dealing with family members who are in denial about anything being amiss about how we were raised and the impact this has had on our on-going relationships.
W
Oil of Olay moisturizer. I have had dry skin since I was in my 20's. Now that I am in my 60's.....Oy! I have always used some type of Oil of Olay moisturizer. I am now using the Age Defying creams, and like them alot. Oh, and Chap Stick under
ReginaLove, that is SO great to hear! As for soy, it may help with menopause symptoms -- it it controversial. The best way to use soy is in the form of whole fermented soy foods (miso, tempeh, tamari and natto). Non-fermented soy foods such as soy mi
Agreed. I never thought I was vain until I had a mastectomy at age 39. I was devastated and told the doc I wanted to wake up with implants. Now at age 60, I am lopsided and wondering if I was just avoiding the inevitable. You get what you get and you
Sounds very interesting.
I have a question. I take an Omega 3-6-9 suppelement. I have had breast cancer, should I just go to an Omega 3? I had no idea the Omega 6′s were so bad for you. riaholz
My heart goes out to you! I offer an article on my blog site (via http://www.healthischoice.com) that will give you all you wanted to know about EFA’s. It may offer you a broader view from which to make a decision.
Raewyn