Moderators: JeffN, carolve, Heather McDougall
jp17 wrote:My understanding is that even if someone ate a clean, low fat vegan diet with plenty of omega 3's in correct ratio to omega 6, their body may not be good at building DHA, and that person could be DHA deficient. Therefore, a DHA supplement could be beneficial.
jp17 wrote:I am considering taking a laboratory grown algae derived DHA supplement to see if it helps an inflammatory skin disease I have called lichen planus. I am also considering giving it to my 1 1/2 year old to see if it helps her eczema/dermatitis.
jp17 wrote:As boardn10 pondered in the previous omega 3 thread, why did I get a disease after changing to such a disease preventative diet?
jp17 wrote:I got lichen planus seven months after changing to a low fat whole foods vegan diet. I eat 2 tbsp ground hemp seed and 2 handfuls raw spinach in a smoothie daily, I also eat walnuts and flax seed regularly. I have occasional high oil meals, but I feel I get a fair amount of omega 3. I try to get enough omega 3's in my daughter too but am not sure if I do.
jp17 wrote:So I am wondering if I am one of those people whose bodies cannot make enough DHA, even though I give it good raw materials, and that a DHA supplement might benefit my skin condition.
jp17 wrote:Thanks so much!! I am glad you are here.
JeffN wrote:I would like to see some conclusive evidence for the above statement as I know of none.
JeffN wrote:While there may be some discussion about it, and some may have expressed some concern, the National Academy of Sciences does not recognize EPA and DHA as essential. This means there is enough evidence for them to conclude that we can make enough of it without eating it in its preformed state.
JeffN wrote:We are now discussing two different things. One is the issue of basic nutrition, of which my comments above are directed at. The second issue, is pharmacological intervention,which is where substances/chemicals are used to treat disease. They are two completely different issues and it is important that we separate them out and deal with them as separate.
JeffN wrote:My first question would be, what motivated you to change?
JeffN wrote:Second, There is no way to answer this from discussions on a forum without knowing so much more about your medical/health issues and the details of your dietary history and current intake. This is info that needs to be explored professionally as there are so many variable that may be involved and have to be explored.
JeffN wrote:However, there is the possibility of experiencing some transitional symptoms when making major dietary and lifestyle changes and many people do go through this from dry skin, rashes, to thinning hair, etc etc, all of which usually clear up over time..
JeffN wrote:There is also the issue of what constitutes a healthy diet. Many people mix together many theories and philosophies and end up with a program that is not really healthy at all...
JeffN wrote:From what you are generally saying, A) it is not low fat.
JeffN wrote:2)it may be too high in certain fatty acids with a poor balance of essential fats.
JeffN wrote:c) the best thing to do would be to download the free CRON-O-Meter and input your diet for at least a week and then lets see what your averages are.
JeffN wrote: I would begin by really cleaning up your diet, stabilizing it, and then if necessary, adding in some "food" that may help first. If over time, that didn't work, then we might try a supplement.
Food first. Supplements second.
JeffN wrote:However, ff your symptoms are interfering with your life, and making it uncomfortable, then there may be reason to intervene sooner but you would still need to establish and stabilize the basics.
JeffN wrote:PS I see you are from B-Town, one of my all time favorite cities I have ever lived in. I was part of the "Center for Wholism" when it first opened back in 1994 with Dr Lois Lambrecht..
jp17 wrote:My sources are from Joel Fuhrman Eat to Live and The China Study, both of which have footnoted references citing articles from different studies on the topic. I don't know how much weight that has, but it seems to me you can probably find a study that supports any idea you have.
jp17 wrote:Maybe I have misunderstood something. I thought EPA and DHA were essential fatty acids that you had to get from food. Is it just omega-3 and omega-6 that are the essential fatty acids? Because your body makes the EPA and DHA? Which would mean I don't have to worry about consuming the preformed EPA and DHA. I just need to worry about consuming the omega-3 and omega-6 so I can make the EPA and DHA.
jp17 wrote:My motivation was disease prevention- to have a long, healthly, active life to enjoy my kids and loved ones. My mom died of lifestyle (emphysema at age 61) 6 years ago, when my oldest daughter was 5 months old. She could have been here another 20 years to see her grandchildren grow up. I want to live to see my grandchildren grow up and play with them. (I am 35 years old).
jp17 wrote: Yes, I have considered this. I mean, I had 34 years of SAD eating (days of coffee and cigs for breakfast, Wendy's for lunch, Pizza Hut and beer for dinner)
It just is somewhat perplexing to get an inflammatory skin condition after changing my diet when I have read in various texts that the way I'm eating will help rid people of these conditions.
jp17 wrote:Yikes you are right! I have been lax about "good" fat since maintaing a lean body and low cholesterol...
do you mean I could still be consuming too much omega-6?
jp17 wrote:I have had the lichen planus 6 months now. It has definately made my life uncomfortable. I actually just took steroids for the first time because it was so bad. That's why I am questing so hard for some relief.
jp17 wrote:But let me share with you the benefits I have gained from McDougalling for one year:
weight: 149 to 120
total cholesterol: 257 to 137!
Bodyfat: 26% to 12.5%!
I have excellent energy, depression relief, allergy relief, freedom from substance abuse (I believe eating for health is so genuinely fulfilling that I don't have the need to try to fill with substances), inspiring other people
jp17 wrote:My husband and I know the Center! I used to see a massage therapist there 6 years ago named Beth Moses, and my husband saw an acupuncturist named Jeff Cooney. I've thought of contacting them to see if there is a health professional I might work with that supports diet for disease prevention.
jp17 wrote:Thanks for really challenging me and giving me your time. I truly appreciate it. You rock!
MikeyG wrote:After reading your post and due to my mother's concerns with the dire cognitive consequences that many associate with a low-fat diet,
MikeyG wrote:Dear Jeff, Though it is full of anecdotal evidence, research is referenced for each section.
The link to his reference page can be found here: http://www.instincttoheal.org/article.php3?id_article=15#sommaire_9
I believe Ch. 9 is where he discusses the potential value for Omega-3 consumption in the treatment of mental disorders. .
MikeyG wrote:Thanks so much for your consideration and I hope that you're having an amazing day.
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