It Depends on the Ratio

It Depends on the Ratio

We have come to recognise that saturated fatty acids, as they are found, in particular, in meat, butter, coconut oil, etc., are hardly recommendable.  
It is less well-known that there are also distinct differences between the unsaturated fatty acids.
In many processes, the substances formed by omega-3 fatty acids act as adversaries to omega-6 fatty acids. An excess of omega-6 fatty acids affects various diseases negatively. Thus, it depends on the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids. Most foods, particularly (pork) meat, though even sunflower oil, etc. as well, contain significantly more omega-6 fatty acids, while large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids are only present in few foods, such as fatty cold-water fish, linseed and walnut oil. Accordingly, most humans have a relative deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids.