The ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 is an indicator of the type of fatty acids that you have in your body. In many countries an omega-6 to omega-3 balance as high as 20: 1 has been reported. The ideal ratio should be 3:1 or less.
Studies have shown that people have gradually changed their consumption of types of fatty acids as a consequence of agricultural industrialization and decrease in fish consumption. Popular fatty acid sources like cultivated vegetables contain a lot of omega-6 in their oils and seeds. In addition omega-6 is frequently put in animal feed increasing the content in meat and eggs. These changes in dietary content strongly affect the omega-6 to omega-3 balance.
The balance reflects the state of the body; a high ratio implies that much more omega-6 than omega-3 is built into your cell membranes. This is unfavorable because it makes the cell membranes less flexible and do not allow optimal traffic of nutrients, transport of signal molecules or waste elimination. Being a starting compound for many important and highly potent molecules high omega-6 will negatively affect your body; the blood may get thicker, it may more easily clog, and the arteries may constrict and get narrower. These conditions also favor inflammation. As a consequence a high index is associated with an increased risk for developing disease, for example cardiovascular disease, diabetes 2 and/or chronic inflammatory diseases.
On the other hand – if the ratio is in balance, due to additional intake of omega-3, the body reflects the opposite; the omega-3 rich cell membranes will be flexible and healthy. Compounds acting anti-inflammatory, preventing blood clotting and positively influence the heart rhythm as well as relaxing the muscle layer in the arteries will be more easily formed. All these effects are favorable for your body- and maintain the body in a healthy – and not stressed state.
Remember always to keep your omega-6:omega-3 ratio as low as possible by consuming products rich in natural DHA and EPA.