Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids?
A. These are types of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Linolenic acid, the shortest chain omega-3 fatty acid, and linoleic acid, the shortest chain omega-6 fatty acid, are essential fatty acids. This means they cannot be synthesized by the body from other fatty acids and must be obtained from food. The most common fatty acids of each class are linolenic (18:3), EPA (20:5), DHA (22:6) for omega-3 and linoleic (18:2) and arachidonic (20:4) for omega-6. Some of the food sources of omega-3 fatty acids are fish and shellfish, flaxseed, walnuts, and canola oil.
Q. What are "Free Radicals"?
A. An atom or a group of atoms with an unpaired electron. Free radicals are aggressive chemicals, ready to react with cell components extracting from them the missing electron and causing them permanent damage. Free radicals occur as a part of normal cell metabolism but their numbers in the organism greatly increases when it is exposed to damaging environmental influences. Free radicals have been implicated in accelerated aging and the development of degenerative diseases.
Q. What are environmental toxins?
A. Today there are more than 70,000 synthetic chemicals used commercially and approximately a thousand more new chemicals introduced into our environment each year. It's hard to know exactly how many of these chemicals are actually harmful enviromental toxins that may damage women's reproductive health, as well as our general health and the health of our children. This is especially true when we consider the fact that only a handful of these potential enviromental toxins have been adequately tested to determine their effect on humans and other forms of life.
Reducing or eliminating toxins in our body takes patient commitment and the scientific knowledge and understanding that a Doctor practicing Integrative Medicine can offer.
