What's in a name? by Elizabeth Brown, MS, RD

Nutritional What?

While hiking in Vermont, I stumbled upon this quaint little movie theater in Montpelier, the capital. They serve popcorn made with real butter, sea salt and this yummy, flakey, cheesy flavored stuff sprinkled on top.

It was 1996 when I first learned about nutritional yeast and I have been singing its praises from the mountaintops ever since. I also recommend visiting the actual Von Trapp lodge in Stowe, the inspiration for The Sound of Music, but I digress.

Just the Flax Ma'am by Elizabeth Brown, MS, RD

The Facts on Flax

When humans were hunter-gatherers, death from chronic disease was unheard of partly because their diets were equally rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

Today Americans consume a diet that on average contains 17 grams of omega-6 for every one gram of omega-3 fatty acids. In Japan, residents consume a diet that is 4:1 omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. This is the goal for the US and Canada.

"The Rest of the Story" about omega-3 fats by Elizabeth Brown, MS, RD

Soon you will know the rest of the story...

In last week’s article you learned some facts about flax, but you only learned half of the omega-3 fat story. Read on to learn “the rest of the story.”

As a child I remember listening to a guy named Paul Harvey who did a radio news segment called “The Rest of the Story” where he elaborated on popular news pieces.

We had a radio that went on with the bathroom light. I would listen to Paul Harvey’s commentary and would often find myself lingering in the bathroom just long enough to hear “the rest of the story.” Paul was on the radio for more than 50 years, up until his death this year at the age of 90. So, in honor of Paul Harvey, I will tell you “the rest of the story” about omega-3 fats.

Queen of the Fats by Elizabeth Brown, MS, RD

Omega-3 fats, THE END…for now

Bow to the Queen…of the fats. That’s how Susan Allport refers to omega-3 fats in her book, “The Queen of Fats.” When omega-6’s were found to be essential, they were deemed the King for being, at the time, the only truly essential fatty acid. But we all know that behind ever man is a strong woman. She doesn’t need an Ipod to make her feel important. All she seeks is recognition as the true ruler of fats, for in nature she dominates the fat world.

If you read my previous two articles, you learned that ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is the essential omega-3 fatty acid that we must obtain from the diet. She (ALA) is the mother of EPA and DHA which we associate with fish and marine oils.