Prevention of illnesses depends heavily on fatty acid intake. Are you aware that you can lower your risk of cardiac problems, possibly prevent the onset of Alzheimer's, Cancer or Depression, and increase your energy levels by using them? Some doctors may recommend their patients try fatty acids to help treat rheumatoid arthritis, Raynaud's disease, diabetes and other diseases.

The problem is that essential fatty acids aren't readily available in sufficient amounts in our modern diets. The ideal ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids is about 1:1. That's what early man probably got in his diet, but our modern diets have a lot of processed foods in them and these can be heavy in Omega 6 oils leaving us with an imbalance between the two. Our dietary intakes today give us about a 20:1 Omega6:Omega3 ratio. To bring the fatty acids back into balance, thus preventing some of the most serious health concerns, many health care professionals are advocating the use of Omega 3 supplements.

Eating less foods containing Omega 6 fatty acids can be a good way to rebalance your essential fatty acids. Know what's in your oils. Sunflower, soy, safflower and several others contain Omega 6. These are oils that you might use every day in cooking.

Packaged food production uses these oils a lot - check out the ingredients list of any of the cookies, crackers or snacks in your kitchen cabinet and you are bound to find them. Consider changing oils to coconut or extra virgin olive oil, even organic butter is healthier. In addition, eating foods containing Omega 3 fatty acids is another tactic. These include fish, walnut oil and flax seed oil.

Many fish have toxic levels of mercury, so ingesting too much mercury which might outweigh the benefits of getting more Omega 3 by eating fish. Tilapia, flounder, haddock, wild Pacific salmon and sardines are the safest fish to eat.

Since it's nearly impossible to get enough Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet today, Omega 3 supplementscould be the answer. Today's diet provides no better way to raise the ratio between Omega 3 and Omega 6. With cod liver, krill, and alternative fish oils encompassing necessary Omega 3's, minus the exposure of mercury to your system, you have a great way to add the essential fatty acids to your diet. When taking a supplement for fatty acids, it is important to include an antioxidant such as Vitamin E that will lessen oxidation.