What would be the fundamentals behind the ratio of 1:1 (omega-3, omega-6)? page

[La Carnera]

In biochemical and/or evolutionary terms, why exactly do our bodies prefer (or need) these two essential fatty acids in equal amounts?

I would appreciate any regards on this subject (links, articles, etc.), please.

[mike_h]

I think a 1:1 ratio would be very hard to achieve and probably not historically common either. Except perhaps for people who fished for every meal, that ratio seems unlikely. Grass fed ruminant is still well below 1:1 (O3:O6)

I don't have references, just seems implausible.

[Daydreamer]

With some fish oil pills it's very easy to get to a 1:1 ratio.
As it's very easy to get down to a 2:1 to 3:1 ratio without supplements

[boxcarguy07]

I dunno, one serving of mackerel has something like a 21:1 O3:06 ratio. With that in mind (and Mike H, I've seen lab analysis of grass-fed beef that does show a 1:1 ratio), the avoidance of vegetable oils and too many nuts (sounds familiar) could easily yield at least a 1:1 ratio. Doesn't seem that hard to do?

[mike_h]

That would change things. I recently read this of beef's ratios:

The average omega-6 to omega-3 ratio for grass-fed beef is 2.20, while the average omega-6 to omega-3 ratio for grain-fed beef is 7.66.

from: Grass-Fed vs Grain-Fed Beef | Understand Nutrition

I don't know if that is right, or the 1:1 is more likely.

I remember a mention on the Bulletproof Exec podcast of Dave (I think) actually having his bodily levels tested which came out at 1.5:1 (6:3) which apparently was the lowest the tester had seen. I can't remember which episode that was.

[boxcarguy07]

Interesting... what I saw was this: Fatty Acid Analysis which actually shows a .89:1 ratio of 06:03. I'm sure it differs from breed to breed, pasture to pasture kinda thing. I'm also wondering even if you took in a 1:1 ratio, if your body wouldn't still be off, such as your example of Dave (not that i know what his diet was or anything).

I think anywhere from 1:1 to 1:3 or maybe even 1:4 is good, diet-wise.

[tfarny]

I'd love to see some real science showing that 1:1 is better than 1:4 or even 1:8 in real health outcome terms. My understanding is that SAD gets you around 1:20 or so. Not sure if evidence exists or not.

[DeeDub]

I'd love to see some real science showing that 1:1 is better than 1:4 or even 1:8 in real health outcome terms. My understanding is that SAD gets you around 1:20 or so. Not sure if evidence exists or not.

The studies are all over the map, from what I can tell. Which doesn't really surprise me, since Grok was eating a lot of rancid fats anyway, so I rather doubt O3/O6 ratios where anywhere near the top of the priority list.

[LockeGilber]

That would change things

[La Carnera]

Thanks very much, all of you!

Still trying to understand the ratio (1:1 or 1:8) better, though...