On Food and Cooking

influences on our metabolism.
One benefit is quite direct, the others
indirect. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to
the development and function of the brain and
the retina, and it appears that an abundance in
our diet helps ensure the health of the central
nervous system in infancy and throughout life.
But the body also transforms omega-3 fatty
acids into a special set of calming immune-
system signals (eicosanoids). The immune
system responds to various kinds of injuries
by generating an inflammation, which kills
cells in the vicinity of the injury in
preparation for repairing it. But some
inflammations can become self-perpetuating,
and do more harm than good: most
importantly, they can damage arteries and
contribute to heart disease, and they can
contribute to the development of some
cancers. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids
helps limit the inflammatory response, and
thus lowers the incidence of heart disease and