Omega 3 fatty acids are crucial in older years

Omega- 3 oils for bone health.

Getting the right balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fats in the diet may prevent much of the bone loss seen with post-menopausal osteoporosis. Much of the research on omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish, has focused on their benefits for the heart, inflammation and mental health. But a study on rats adds to mounting evidence of their role in bone health. The researchers found that diets with a good ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids minimized the bone loss that always occurs in women after menopause. They found that omega-3 fatty acids help promote bone formation and higher intakes of omega-6 fatty acids lead to an increased production of compounds associated with bone loss.” Getting the right ratio is one of the goals of treatment for arthritis and osteoporosis.

In most western diets the rations is greater than 10:1 Omega 6: omega 3. Getting the ratio to 5:1 promotes health. The ratio can be measured with a simple blood test and adjusted with diet modification and supplements

Vegetable oils such as sunflower oil and corn oil may promote inflammation as they are rich in omega-6 fatty acids; Too much omega 6 increases inflammation.