title: Importance of a balanced omega 6/omega 3 ratio for the maintenance of health: nutritional recommendations.
abstract: The modification of dietary patterns has led to a change in fatty acid consumption, with an increase in the consumption of ω-6 fatty acids and a marked reduction in the consumption of ω-3 fatty acids. This in turn has given rise to an imbalance in the ω-6/ω-3 ratio, which is now very different from the original 1:1 ratio of humans in the past. Given the involvement of ω-6 and ω-3 essential fatty acids in disease processes, the present article examines changes in dietary patterns that have led to the present reduction in the consumption of ω-3 essential fatty acids, and to study the importance of the ω-6/ω-3 balance in maintaining good health. In addition, an assessment is made of the established recommendations for preventing a poor intake of ω-3 essential fatty acids, and the possible options for compensating the lack of these fatty acids in the diet.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. cgomez.hulp@salud.madrid.org
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gómez Candela
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bermejo López
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Loria Kohen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6