Dr Oz’s The Big O: Know Your Omegas show was very interesting. Just in case anyone was confused, when Doctor Oz spoke about the The Big O, he was talking about “O” for Omega Fats! Not all Omega Fats are created equally, so can you trust food label claims about having Omegas? What is the difference between Omega 3 Fats and Omega 6 Fats? And how much do you need of each? Plus, learn about a new Omega 3 Blood Test that can give you some insight into how good your diet is.
Dr Oz: Omega 3 Fats
Dr Oz said that Omega 3’s are a powerful and essential fatty acid that are found in fish, flax seed, and walnuts. Omega 3 Fats are essential for your brain and nervous system. They also 
reduce and prevent stress from damaging your body and are called calming fats. You basically cannot get enough Omega 3’s to ward off all types of diseases and health problems including Heart Disease and Alzheimers Disease. Dr Oz was joined by Mark Hyman, author of The Ultramind Solution, who said that our bodies are made up of Omega 3’s and a lack of it is linked to preterm labor, obesity, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and other health problems. On the positive side, Omega 3’s actually make your skin, hair, and nails beautiful!
Dr Oz: Omega 6 Fats
Dr Oz said that Omega 6 Fats are an essential fatty acid that are also critical for your health, but too much of it is not good for you and can even cancel out the benefits of Omega 3 Fats. So, how do you know if you are getting too much of Omega 6 Fats? What is the right balance between Omega 3’s and Omega 6’s?
Dr Oz: Warning Signs of Lack of Omega 3’s
Dr Oz said that the following are warning signs that you are not getting enough Omega 3 Fats in your diet:
– Soft and brittle nails
– Dry, itchy scalp
– Joint pain, stiff joints, or Arthritis
– Fatigue
Since your brain is made of 60% fat, and most of the fat is Omega 3 Fat, when you do not have enough Omega 3’s, you can get cognitive problems and depression.
Dr Oz: Are Omega 6’s Bad For You?
Mark Hyman said that Omega 6 Fats are oils in our diets that cause inflammation and lead to problems including Heart Disease, Arthritis, and Diabetes. Processed oils found in anything that comes in a box or a package tend to be Omega 6’s. Often, when a company writes “Omegas” on the package, they are actually talking about Omega 6 Fats and not Omega 3 Fats (which is what we cannot get enough of!).
Dr Oz: Omega 6 & Omega 3 Combination
If you eat too many Omega 6’s, it cancels out the benefits of Omega 3’s. Dr Oz showed a healthy aorta that is rubbery, bouncy, and elastic. If you do not get sufficient Omega 3’s and have an unhealthy lifestyle, your aorta can begin to flake. Omega 6 Fats are not bad by themselves, but they become unhealthy if you eat too much of them. Mark Hyman told Dr Oz that he went from eating a ration of 2 to 1 of Omega 6’s to Omega 3’s, to now eating a ration of 30 to 1 of Omega 6’s to Omega 3’s.
Dr Oz: Omega 3 Blood Test
Dr Oz said that there is now an Omega 3 Blood Test available through your doctor, or you can purchase a home Omega Blood Test online for $150. You want the results to come back saying that at least 8% of the fats in your blood cells are coming from Omega 3’s. Under 4% is in the undesirable section, which is what one of Dr Oz’s guests found out from her blood test. She had 7 times the amount of Omega 6’s in her blood as Omega 3’s, when she should really only have about twice the amount.
Don’t forget to read Dr Oz’s Omega 3 Food List!
Barbara Pleguezuelo says
This Dr. Oz show may very well have saved my life. I eat very healthily but my coronary arteries developed blockages anyway. I suffer from arthritis as well. Nobody else has been able to explain it. This article makes perfect sense of my issues.
DrOzFans says
Barbara, I am so happy to hear that our recap of Dr Oz’s show was able to help you! That is exactly why we do what we do 🙂
Darlene Blaney says
Dr. Oz, I am confused. On your website it states that too many Omega 6s can cancel out the benefits of the Omega 3s; however, below it seems that we are being encouraged to have more 6s. Mark Hyman went from 7 to 1 of Omega 6as to 3s to 30 to 1. See below. Isn’t that contradictory.
Dr Oz: Omega 6 & Omega 3 Combination
If you eat too many Omega 6’s, it cancels out the benefits of Omega 3’s. Dr Oz showed a healthy aorta that is rubbery, bouncy, and elastic. If you do not get sufficient Omega 3’s and have an unhealthy lifestyle, your aorta can begin to flake. Omega 6 Fats are not bad by themselves, but they become unhealthy if you eat too much of them. Mark Hyman told Dr Oz that he went from eating a ration of 2 to 1 of Omega 6’s to Omega 3’s, to now eating a ration of 30 to 1 of Omega 6’s to Omega 3’s.
Joanne Johnston says
I have the same question as Darlene. Was this a misprint? 30 to 1 of Omega 6’s to Omega 3’s???
That seems to be way off balance. Can you clarify this for me please.
Keith Wakeman says
Darlene & Joanne,
My company, GeneSmart.com was pleased to provide the omega-3 home blood tests used for this episode of The Dr. Oz Show. The statement about Dr. Hyman’s scores is likely a misprint. Those eating a typical American diet often have Omega 6 to Omega 3 Ratios in the range of 15:1 or more. A ratio of less than 5:1, and ideally 2:1 or even 1:1 like our hunter-gatherer ancestors is desirable.
jerry berg says
IF OMEGA 6 LEVELS ARE TYPICALLY HIGHER THAN OMEGA 3 LEVELS WHY DO ALMOST ALL SUPPLEMENTS INCLUDE ADDITIONAL OMEGA 6 INTAKES WHICH FURTHER ELEVATES THE 6 TO 3 OMEGA RATIOS?
jerry berg says
Mark Hyman told Dr Oz that he went from eating a ration of 2 to 1 of Omega 6’s to Omega 3’s, to now eating a ration of 30 to 1 of Omega 6’s to Omega 3’s.
THIS STATEMENT, DIRECTLY EXTRACTED FROM YOUR WRITEUP ,APPEARS TO BE EXACTLY CONTRARY TO THE NEED TO REDUCE THIS RATIO. ISN’T THE 2:1 RATIO HIS PRESENT DIETARY CONSUMTION?
Cheryl says
I am taking an Evening Primrose oil supplement and an Omega 3 supplement. Since EPO is an Omega 6 is that canceling out my Omega 3 intake?
Keith Wakeman says
Cheryl,
Most Americans consume too much Omega-6 which tends to be pro-inflammatory. However, the Omega-6 found in Evening Primrose Oil known as GLA is the exception. Studies have shown that GLA when taken with EPA (an Omega-3 found in most fish & fish oil) actually has anti-inflammatory benefits. Dr. Ski Chilton first introduced this GLA-EPA combination in his book, Inflammation Nation, and it is part of the Gene Smart Anti Inflammatory Diet. Note that Borage Oil is another source, which some prefer to EPO because it contains more GLA so there are less soft gels to take each day.
Cheryl says
thank you.
Harry says
Dr. Oz is very learned and respected, however, much of what he says here is contradicted by Brian Peskin. Mr. Peskin has done extensive research on Omega’s which he calls PEO’s (Parental Essential Oils). He can be found on youtube and his website. Googling his name will lead you to it. The problem is the quality of oils. Modern processing methods takes out the health benefits. Cholesterol is just a transporter. If you’re transporting junk what do you expect? Unprocessed unheated unadulterated Omega 6’s is what our bodies need. Peskin explains all this and more.
Jeremy Hayhurst says
You should correct this statement:
Mark Hyman told Dr Oz that he went from eating a ration of 2 to 1 of Omega 6′s to Omega 3′s, to now eating a ration of 30 to 1 of Omega 6′s to Omega 3′s.
Don’t know what was intended but that’s surely not what he said.
Marilyn says
Harry’s comments above are correct. Brian Peskin has done extensive research on EFA’s and shows that all fish oil is highly processed and damaged EFA’s as a result. As said above just pouring more garbage in the body and ruining health long term. It acts like a drug in the system temporarily decreasing trigs and raising HDL however, lowers the immune system long term. White cells decrease and immune systm fights for homeostasis.
tiflon says
I´m not a specialist in the fild ,but because of my son´s health I´m doing research on the subgect long, long.
YES,DR OZ has made CRUSIAL mistake sugesting 30:1(omega3:6oils). I´m sure it´s a missprint.
I´m happy that people noticed that. Ratio of these oils is SO important ! IT matters our health in all respects. Read book “The Anti Inflamation Zone” by Dr Barry Sears.You will find what you REALLY need!
tiflon says
O!!!!!!!!!!!!! PEOPLE. I ALSO have done a mistake and it is also crucial.In the brakits I should have written(6:3)
Another words EAT LOTS OF OMEGA 3 and very little OMEGA 6.
JOANNE ,I´m happy for you to be so attentive. God bless all of us,and let those stingy people
who advertise OMEGA6 as the mane sourse of our health parish.
Tess says
I am confused…Can I take Omega 3 alone once a day?