So what fats do we require for good health? Essential Fatty Acids

These are the building blocks of fats. Certain fatty acids can be made within the body such as omega-9, and are considered non-essential. There are certain fatty acids which we cannot make ourselves but are essential to health – these are omega-3 and omega-6. All the body’s cells depend on the essential fatty acids for normal functioning.

When we don’t get the right balance of fats we are open to suffering from skin problems, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, fertility problems… the list is endless!

So what fats do we require for good health? Essential Fatty Acids Photo Gallery



Omega-6 fatty acids are hardwearing in that they withstand heat. They are found in abundance in sunflower, corn and safflower oils. The margarines mentioned above tend to be high in essential fatty acids. Deficiency of omega-6 oil is rare – in fact we seem to have an overabundance in our diets of this EFA.

Omega-3 fatty acids are lacking in the majority of western diets. These EFA’s are heat-sensitive and get lost in the process of food refining. The best sources of this fatty acid are flax seeds, walnuts and oily fish. Leafy green vegetables also contain small amounts.

The problem lies not in the fact that we need lots of the stuff – on the contrary, is an ideal situation our bodies require a small amount. The problem lies in the fact that most of us eat too much of the wrong type of fat, and this usually the trans-fat type.

When we eat too much of the wrong type of fat, we need the right type of fat to compensate. On top of this we eat far too much omega-6 and virtually no omega-3.

Prostaglandins are made only from, and are the final product of the pathways of, the essential fatty acids. They regulate just about every bodily function – digestion and cardiovascular system function, inflammatory response and the control of fluid pressure in the joints to name just a few.

Omega-6 fats produce inflammatory prostaglandins which are useful for blood clotting – without we would bleed to death.

What can we do?

The cholesterol scare of the 60s and 70s created a boom in margarines (which have been around since the 19th century). It is only relatively recently that it was discovered that the short and medium chain fats present in butter were in fact not the kind that produced excess cholesterol. Margarines and the switch to vegetable oils in cooking created an excess of omega-6 in our diet. When such a fine balance is required between omega-3 and omega-6 oils is essential, ideally 3:1, there is only one way to achieve it – cut out all the fats we don’t need and try to eat the recommended sources of omega-3 and omega-6.

Omega-3 fats produce anti-inflammatory prostaglandins which are useful in helping the body recover from injury by reducing pain, swelling and redness. These prostaglandins are useful for thinning blood and preventing blood clots. It is the balance of these two groups that is crucial in allowing bodily processes do their stuff.

Flaxseed Or Oily Fish?

The omega-3 oils found in flaxseed and other plant forms have to go through many bodily processes, some of which we don’t fully understand yet. Some people lack an enzyme responsible for the metabolism of omega-3 oils in such a form. When this is the case, oily fish which already have metabolised omega-3 oils to this stage are recommended. There is astounding evidence that many health problems stem directly from a lack of omega-3. To suggest that fish oils are a better source of omega-3s than plant sources would be misguided. Plant-sourced may well be part of crucial bodily processes that fish-sourced omega-3s simply cannot deal with. Ideally we should make sure that we either include both in our diets to test out whether we can absorb the full benefits of plant-sourced omega-3s by observing our health status while upping our intake of this vital oil.

Conclusion

We have an omega-3 deficiency epidemic. Ok. there are many factors that contribute to every disease and there is no magic cure – but given that most people suffer with some kind of health problem, and that most people are lacking in this liquid gold of an oil certainly suggests that not unlike the role of lemons in the scurvy epidemicomega-3 oils may prove to contains similar miraculous properties.

On my search for a spa hotel that offers beyond the traditional, I discovered, amidst breathtaking scenery of majestic mountains and serene lakes, a medical spa focused on the Mayr diet and a family run hotel with some medical facilities, traditional Austrian spa treatments, local organic cuisine and horse riding

Viva Mayr

Maria Worth, Lake Worth

Viva Mayr, the dream of Dr. Stossier, is a private medical spa hotel, situated directly at the lakes edge. Knowledgeable doctors and therapists attend to your every need, offering a wealth of information that you may only ever encounter in this exact synergy at Viva Mayr. I believe that it is the perfectly supported tailored programme that facilitates an in-depth transformation. This assists you to emerge lighter, brighter, and fully equipped with the knowledge, an array of supportive high quality supplements, and dietary advice to implement upon your arrival home. Indeed the diet is strict, yet the effects are so profound, as the visible results were truly noticeable such as my glowing eyes.

My entire internal system felt cleansed and revitalised, emitting a peaceful comfort that surpassed that which I experienced on other diets. Just when you think you are struggling with the diet, you have an appointment for a specific massage, colonic or exercise session that rebalances any detox discomfort and ensures the entire programme is beneficial yet manageable. The Kinesologists are the most accurate I have discovered, allowing me to come to a conclusion about what was beneficial for my body to eat. To further assist and support your ability to continue the Viva Mayr diet at home, you may attend a cookery class. You will learn of the vast array of foods that are beneficial to balance the alkaline levels in the body, and the benefits of allowing plenty of time to eat your meals uninterrupted by distractions, with thorough chewing to allow proper digestion and lessening the requirement for vast portions of food. I not only shed some weight, but also retrained my eating habits. Personal training assisted strengthening my muscles, including Plate One and a thoroughly enjoyable session on an aqua bike. Paying attention to each aspect of the routine is key to the overall success, including partaking of Epsom salts and oil pulling every morning and the liver pack every evening. The results will revitalise you.

Wiesenhof chensee, Pertisau, Tyrol

Wiesenhof Hotel is situated high in the mountains, and radiates Austrian charm that is infused into every aspect of this delightful family run hotel. The Entner family resides at the Wiesnehof, creating a warm homely feeling. Attention is paid to every detail, from the nutritionally rich dairy products from animals that are fed on hay (offering extensive nutritional benefits) through to traditional Austrian treatments such as the shale oil bath that coaxes every muscle to surrender to relaxation, a hay bath treatment that deeply moisturises the skin (calming all the senses), and the incredible harp bed, where I experienced the most profound healing treatment of my life. As the harp is played the vibration is felt through your entirety, re-harmonising your being.

I experienced unsurpassed peaceful rebalancing from this treatment, and highly recommend it.

The Wiesenhof offers almost around the clock home-cooked fare, from local organic ingredients.

All diets are catered for, including food intolerances, vegetarian/vegan and low cholesterol diets.

The health of the heart is very important to the Entner family. Three different sessions are offered, specific dietary advice and tailored exercise each morning. The cardio scan (cardio stress index) allowed me to see the representation of my heart and explore what the various shades of colour meant (I have a healthy heart with only a small amount of stress). You can discover your resting metabolic rate, which is extremely useful to guide you upon how much exercise you need, and calories that are advisable to consume. The Dr.Wolff back check shows the support your muscles offer to your spine, therefore if the alignment is balanced and thus if your spine is properly supported. Any issues can be corrected with exercises. You can also enjoy horse-riding during the summer season, as the Wiesenhof owns a nearby stable.

Maybe You Like Them Too

Leave a Reply

82 + = 87