Carbohydrates as we typically know them, primarily refined grains, are a high source of Omega 6 (n-6) fatty acids. I tell people that n-6 fats are constructive fats while n-3 (Omega 3s) are lubricating fats. I don't really know the difference, but it's an analogy I read somewhere. Too much n-6 is thought to lead to fat related problems like CVD and diabetes.
The "Western diet" has many more n-6 fats than we need:
Quote:
Omega-6 fatty acid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Some medical research suggests that excessive levels of n−6 fatty acids, relative to n−3 fatty acids, may increase the probability of a number of diseases and depression.[1][2][3]
Modern Western diets typically have ratios of n−6 to n−3 in excess of 10 to 1, some as high as 30 to 1. The optimal ratio is thought to be 4 to 1 or lower.[4][5] |
If we go back to the Eskimo diet, largely ocean meats and fats, it is thought the reason they did so well with it was its high n-3 fat content. All their food lived directly or indirectly off of photisynthesis based life forms which is what produces n-3 fats. n-6 are fats stored by seeds for new plants to feed off of.
Not only are our current diets based on grains but the meats we eat tend to be grain fattenned as well. I feel a carb reduction alone is not enough. We need to also move towards grass fed meats and most fishes. I do have concerns about farmed fish.
