JOHN MAC KAH - Rapid River Magazine

R A P I D R I V E R A R T S & C U L T U R E
healthy lifestyles
The Obvious Assumption
Dietary information is of two
kinds: simple and complex.
The simple information
categorizes everything into
a few groups, either stigmatizing
the bad groups or promoting a
particular good group. The complex
information breaks everything down
into multiple options that require a
chemistry/physiology degree to understand
and implement.
This is especially true when trying
to understand fatty acids: their
intake, their functions in the body,
and their proper balance in the diet.
Let’s try a middle ground for consideration
– a little complex information
without too much chemistry and a
little simple information without too
much stigmatizing.
Most of the complex nutrients
required for optimum human health
can be made by the human body. But
there are a few nutrients that humans
cannot make. These nutrients are
labeled “essential” nutrients – which
means they must be supplied in the
diet. In the category of fats, two fatty
acids must be supplied in the diet. The
human body cannot make alpha-linolenic
acid (an omega-3) fatty acid and
linoleic acid (an omega-6) fatty acid.
From both of these two fatty acids,
the human body can manufacture
on its own (with some effort) the rest
of a myriad of fatty acids that make
up most of the human brain, much of
the human nerve cells, and the major
building blocks of the capsule of all
human cells. Various fatty acids are the
messengers that make possible blood
clotting, passing of various elements
through cell walls, natural pain killers,
and the immune inflammatory system
that recognizes, isolates, and eliminates
foreign material: bacteria, viruses, and
cancer cells.
EPA and DHA are two omega-3
fatty acids that can be made from the
essential fatty acids, even by children.
These two have been shown to be especially
important for brain and nerve
growth and in lowering the risk of
inflammation, heart disease, arthritis,
mental health problems, and possibly
some cancers. They are more easily
absorbed from the diet than made in
the body, especially by children. They
are both added to various foods, especially
formula for infants.
Arachidonic acid is an omega-6
fatty acid that is made in the body and
is important for blood clotting, repair
and growth of muscle and nerve tissue,
improved sensitivity to insulin, and
control of eczema. It is the precursor
for the fatty acids that cause degenerative
arthritis.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
both play vital roles. They are best
absorbed in the diet in a ratio of 5
(omega-6) to 1 (omega-3). In the typical
American diet with its emphasis on
fatty animal products (meat and dairy)
BY MAX HAMMONDS, MD
the ratio is 24:1 which throws the
balance toward greater inflammation,
greater blood clotting, and a more reactive
immune system – a major cause of
many chronic diseases – not to mention
the other disease processes caused
by such a diet. What is the answer to
this imbalance? Correct the imbalance
through diet.
The obvious assumption is – decrease
the intake of omega-6 fatty acids
and correct the imbalance. But that
would require decreasing the intake of
America’s favorite fatty foods. Instead
nutritionists suggest taking in more
omega-3 fatty acids by supplementation
– with cold water fish, flax seed,
canola oil and others. In other words,
they assume that people will not
choose to eat more healthfully and add
supplements to correct the problem.
Two Lessons
Two assumptions seem obvious.
1) If one eats a diet that is already wellbalanced
in the omega-6:omega-3 ratio
(Mediterranean diet), no supplementation
is necessary. It is only intended for
those not eating a good diet. 2) If one
eats a diet that is out of balance, change
the diet – don’t ignore the imbalance
or correct the imbalance with supplements.
Oh, yes – breast milk gives the
infant the same balance of omega-6:
omega-3 as that which the mother eats.
Obvious assumption.
ASAP’s Local Food
Guide Turns 10
O
ver the last decade, Appalachian
Sustainable Agriculture
Project (ASAP) has
spearheaded a Local Food
Campaign to support those
on a journey to reconnect with their
food. At the center of it all has been
the Local Food Guide. Since 2002,
nine editions and almost one million
copies have been printed to help
people get to know area farmers, find
CSAs, and easily seek out local food at
grocery stores, tailgate markets, restaurants,
and other businesses.
To celebrate the new 10th edition,
as well as the growth of the local food
movement in the Southern Appalachians
over the years, ASAP is hosting
a Local Food Guide release party. The
event, to be held May 7 from 4 to 8
p.m. at Asheville’s Highland Brewing
Company, is an opportunity to pick
up the 2011 guide
hot off the press,
enjoy giveaways
and music by local
act Uncle Mountain, and kick off the
growing season with other local food
enthusiasts.
Of course, what would a local
food guide party be without local
food—washed down with local brews?
Tupelo Honey Café will be on hand to
prepare farm-fresh bites, as well as sell
their new cookbook, Tupelo Honey
Cafe: Spirited Recipes from Asheville’s
New South Kitchen, with sales to
benefit ASAP.
“Ten years ago when we printed
the first Local Food Guide, we could
not have imagined how much could
change in a decade,” says Charlie
Jackson, ASAP’s director. “Today,
the guide is the most comprehensive
source for local food in the country,
and the Appalachian region leads a
national local food movement that is reshaping
our farms and the way we eat.”
Those unable to attend can browse the
guide online at buyappalachian.org.
IF
YOU
GO
BY MAGGIE CRAMER
ASAP’s Local Food Guide
release party is free and open
to the public at Highland
Brewing Company’s new Tasting
Room, 12 Old Charlotte Highway,
Suite H, Asheville. For more
information, visit asapconnections.
org/lfgparty.html.
30 May 2011 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — Vol. 14, No. 9