The role of EFAs in our body is probably one of the most researched areas in nutrition today and several studies from Britain, India and the US – many of them still ongoing – show just how important they are to keep our body functioning smoothly. According to nutritionist Ishi Khosla, both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids form parts of our vital body structures, perform important roles in immune system function and vision. A recent study from Britain (the Durham study) has also shown that adding more Omega-3 to children's diet could improve their concentration, and may even have a role in solving problems like dyslexia.

But the key thing is that these two fatty acids have to be in the right ratio in the body. Urban Indians have one of the most skewed ratios in the world, with their Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio ranging from 38:1 to 50:1 according to a paper by Artemis P. Simopoulos, President, The Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health, published in Experimental Biology and Medicine.

Of course there are many doctors who are still pretty conservative about the whole Omega issue. Dr Ravi Kasliwal, interventional cardiologist at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, for instance, says that while Omega-3 undeniably has cardio protective properties, it is highly over-rated and we need to lay more emphasis on cutting out trans fats from our diets.

He is right – but again it links up to the Omega issue, because now research has shown that the more you consume trans fatty acids (these are the really bad fats - those found in chips, some kinds of cheese, hydrogenated oil, commercially baked cookies and so on), it further interferes with the functioning of Omega-6 and Omega-3 in the body.

The Way Forward
If your primary cooking medium is mustard oil or soya oil, your ratios will be all right, says Dr Prema Ramachandran, director, Nutrition Foundation of India, a Delhi-based voluntary agency that works for the upliftment of the nutritional status of Indians. The NFI, incidentally, had done a study on soya oil (rich in Omega-3 fatty acids) supplementation among pregnant women in urban slums, to see if this could be an effective strategy for low income women.

Another study 'Effects of an Indo-Mediterranean Diet on the Omega–6/Omega–3 Ratio in Patients at High Risk of Coronary Artery Disease: The Indian Paradox,' done by Daniel Pella, Gal Dubnov, Ram B. Singh, Rakesh Sharma, Elliot Berry and Orly Manor showed that changing the cooking oils and increasing the fruit and vegetable intake in the diet brought the ratio down to 9.1/1 and a 40 per cent decrease in cardiovascular disease mortality.

While changing oils is definitely part of the solution, as scientists from the Hyderabad based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) point out, it's not easy for people to implement this at the household level, because you really need awareness about the appropriate combinations, right proportions and so on. Instead, they suggest that edible oil manufacturers should come forth to provide blends of oils in the right fatty acids combinations. NIN scientists – notably former deputy director, Dr Ghafoorunissa, one of India's foremost experts on edible oils and fatty acids -- suggest combining in the 1:1 ratio ground nut, or sesame oil with either canola, mustard or soyabean oil.

Those working in the domain of public health feel that government interventions are necessary in this area. Certain countries have already moved forward and come up with guidelines on Omega-3. Australia, New Zealand and Japan have prescribed a recommended dietary intake level of EPA and DHA at levels between 0.3 and 0.5 grams per day.

Meanwhile, at the household level, Ishi Khosla suggests that increasing consumption of mustard oil, green leafy vegetables, flax seed, mustard, sesame, fenugreek seeds, Urad daal, Rajmah (kidney beans) and soyabean are a good way of raising Omega-3 fatty acid intake. Fish eaters do not really have a problem because they can get these fatty acids from Hilsa, Black pomfret, Katla, Surmai, Salmon, Cod, Halibut, Trout, Herring, Mackerel and Sardines. But still since the issue is the huge amount of Omega-6 we are consuming, which necessitates a proportionately high intake of Omega-3, Gaurav Sharma suggests that a teaspoon of cod liver oil a day or flax seed oil a day to keep the doctor away.