Omega 3 and 6

Question
Hi,

When I eat canned Tuna in Sunflower Oil I get a strong and very noticeable boost in mood. This only happens if I soak up all the oil with bread and consume it. If I drain the sunflower oil away and just have the Tuna the effect is nowhere near as strong.

Everything I read says this shouldn't be so, that it's Omega 3 that should be increased to boost mood. Trying other sources of Omega 3 (salmon, herring etc) gives me the same result - nowhere near the mood improvement without the Sunflower oil.

Do you have any idea why this should be?

Many thanks,
Colin

Answer
Thank you for contacting allexperts.com. I hope that I can assist you with your question.

The only reason I can think of for the unusual effects that you are experiencing would be that the  Omega fatty acids are interdependent upon their proportion to each other, especially Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9. It is VERY IMPORTANT that the proportionate amount of Omega 3,6,9 is correct.  You will see this in many areas of nutrition, for example the B Vitamin Complex as well as the proportion of Magnesium, Potassium and Sodium as it relates to the heart.

Perhaps in your case, the quantities of the other Omega fatty acids in your body (Omega 3 and 9) may be disproportionate and in order to receive the benefit of a balanced amount, by consuming the Linoleic acid (Omega 6) that is present in the tuna (as sunflower oil), it is balancing out the others and giving you the "lift" that you describe. There may be something peculiar to your metabolism that is depleting your body of Omega 6, and replacing that portion of the equation may very well be what is resulting in your improved mood.

I am a very strong believer of instinct-based medicine and that we all should "listen" to our bodies. If you feel better after consuming tuna with sunflower oil, then by all means continue to do so, because your body is telling you, that for whatever reason, it needs it.  If at such time in the future that this effect does not occur, then your body will be telling you that the deficiency has been met.  Likewise, if you eat some product and it makes you feel bad, then your body is telling you that maybe it is not such a good idea to consume that product.  This is true with me when it comes to Garlic.  Garlic makes me feel TERRIBLE so I do not eat it. It's just common sense!

Anyway, I would say that this is my best guess when it comes to why this occurs.  Please feel free to visit my blog at http://everydayhealthandwellness.blogspot.com if you would like to read more about health, diet and wellness.  Thanks for contacting me and feel free to write any time.

Tasha  

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