stroke and heart disease. The right balance of eicosanoids can pre-
vent, postpone, and even treat these conditions. Eicosanoid balance is
so powerful — so influential to overall health — that billions of dol-
lars are spent by pharmaceutical companies to research and develop
new drugs that attempt to balance the eicosanoids. But you can do it
for pennies by eating the right foods! And while drugs that attempt
to balance fats have some short-term success, they come with signifi-
cant unhealthy, and sometimes deadly, side effects. Balancing fats by
eating right only has healthy — nearly miraculous — benefits.
The term eicosanoid is a general one that encompasses a variety
of very different compounds with names such as prostaglandins,
leukotrienes and thromboxanes. They’re involved in complex reac-
tions from moment to moment in all cells throughout the body. For
now just remember that balanced eicosanoids regulate certain bodily
functions that are central to optimal human performance and disease
prevention. With this in mind, understanding how to balance the A,
B and C fats, and the 1, 2 and 3 groups of eicosanoids, is vital. First
let’s discuss A, B and C fats in more detail.
Afats are found in vegetables with the highest amounts in their
oils: safflower, soy, corn, peanut and canola. These fats are referred to
as omega-6, and contain an essential fatty acid called linoleic acid that
I’ll call LA for short. Like all essential fatty acids, they are “essential”
because the body can’t make them and we must eat them to be
healthy. When we do, LA is converted to other fats, including GLA
(gamma-linolenic acid), with the end result being the series 1
eicosanoids. These are powerful substances for promoting and main-
taining health. Among the benefits are powerful anti-inflammation
effects that can reduce the risk of many problems and prevent chron-
ic illness throughout the body. Common dietary supplements of
omega-6 products include black-currant-seed, borage and primrose
oils that contain high amounts of GLA.
BALANCING YOUR FATS • 73The ABCs of Fats
A Fats B Fats C Fats
↓↓ ↓↓ ↓↓
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
Eicosanoids Eicosanoids Eicosanoids