We know that small servings of stress and inflammation are good for an athlete. A proper training effort initiates the right amounts of stress and resulting inflammation that are required to promote muscle growth and strength. Typically, the harder and more intense the training, the higher the level of inflammation.

A sound, balanced body has strong reserves; this body can respond positively to exercise-induced inflammation. When the body is biologically-imbalanced, however, chronic inflammation can take up long-term residence, disrupting the body’s regular, adaptive stress response. The end result?  Poor health and performance.

In a state of chronic inflammation, even low-level training can result in classic overtraining symptoms—lingering fatigue, sore muscles and joints, insomnia, irritability and headaches. Chronic inflammation not only blocks the body’s ability to produce anabolic (recovery) hormones, it increases cortisol (a catabolic hormone) and suppresses the body’s immune system.

Cortisol is a catabolic hormone—it destroys muscle and encourages the body to produce and hoard fat. Once present in the body, cortisol triggers the all important performance hormone, testosterone, to be converted into yet another hormone—estrogen. While adequate levels of estrogen are a necessary and vital hormone for female health, excessive levels—in both men and women—promote fat production, negatively affect motivation and mood and lead to a significant decline in athletic performance.

What can be done to overcome the effects of chronic inflammation? Can the cortisol response be stopped or prevented? Yes. 

In addition to limiting your carbohydrate intake and making sure your vitamin D level are optimal, the key to eliminating chronic inflammation (and its many unwanted side effects) is the proper intake of Essential Fatty Acids—the safest and most natural anti-inflammatory available.

Essential Fatty Acids or EFAs are the “good fats,” which are frequently in the news these days—and a very hot sports performance research topic. EFAs are necessary fats that the human body cannot make and, therefore, must be obtained through the diet or with the use of nutritional supplements. EFAs support the cardiovascular, nervous and reproductive systems. They are needed to manufacture and repair cell membranes, enabling the cells to obtain optimum nutrition and expel harmful waste products. And they control the production of prostaglandins, which regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and immune function.

There are two families of EFAs: Omega-3 and Omega-6. Omega-3 fatty acids are derived from linolenic acid (found in high levels in cold-water fish such as salmon, grass-fed animals, flax, hemp and chia seeds). Omega-6 fats are derived from linoleic acids (found in seeds, nuts and oils such as canola, soy, corn and safflower)

An ideal intake ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids is about 2:1. Because our dietary habits (opting for processed, pre-packaged foods) result in the intake of too few Omega-3 fats and too many Omega-6 fats, most Americans—athletes included—are seriously deficient in Omega-3’s. Add to this an over-consumption of Omega-6 fats and it adds up to a Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio of about 20:1 (that’s ten times too many Omega 6’s). With such a heavy load to carry, the body eventually breaks down, offering an open invitation to the Bad Guy—chronic inflammation.

If you want to prevent or eliminate inflammation while improving both your health and performance, it is essential that you assess and re-balance your EFA ratio. Balanced EFA levels not only reduce inflammation but increase endurance, shorten recovery, protect the joints, elevate mood, improve concentration and promote deeper sleep—exactly what every athlete needs.

Unfortunately, re-establishing a healthy Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio isn’t going to be easy if you simply guess how much fish, cod or flax seed oils you should be buying from your local pharmacy or natural food store (both of which carry products of questionable origin and quality).

Restoring optimal EFA balance requires a measurement of your baseline EFA ratio, which can be determined with Bioletics’ at-home Essential Fatty Acid assessment. Once you’ve identified and quantified your body’s EFA needs, you can make specific, targeted adjustments to your dietary and supplement programs. Without a clear, well-defined and measurable plan, however, restoring your EFA’s to an optimal ratio will be almost impossible.

Choosing the right EFA supplement is another stumbling block when it comes to fast, efficient restoration. Oil-based supplements are particularly prone to damage by light and heat. If not packaged and stored properly, products can loose their potency.  Purity is another key concern—what is the source of the oil? How was it processed? Does it contain chemicals or environmental toxins?

After researching the multitude of EFA products on the market, Bioletics has chosen to sell only three. The first is Pharmax’s Ultra EPA/DHA Ultra-Concentrated Fish Oil. This product is considered the “gold standard” in fish oil supplements as it is created with a patented low-temperature fractionation process that results in exceptional purity and bioavailability (ease of use by the body). Almost ALL fish oil supplements on the market are concentrated with the use of heat and chemicals (usually hexane). This not only damages the quality of the oil, but creates toxic, chemical residues.

Udo's Choice Perfected 3/6/9 Oil Blend is a certified organic blend of guaranteed GMO-free, unrefined edible oils (fresh flax, sesame and sunflower seeds, as well as oils from evening primrose, rice germ and oat germ). This unique blend delivers a reliable source of both the omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids that are so essential to life. In addition, the formula offers a 2:1:1 ratio of the omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids—the combination proven most therapeutic for those who are suffering from an identified fatty acid deficiency that is the result of following a low or no-fat diet.

Finally, V-Pure is an organic, algae-based, sustainable alternative for those who prefer to avoid fish-based oils. Why algae? It’s the dietary source of Omega-3 fats for most cold water fish and is loaded with Omega-3’s. While less potent than the Pharmax fish oil, V-Pure provides an exceptionally high-quality, vegan form of DHA—the critical Omega-3 oil.

Ready to assess your EFA levels? Mention this article and receive a 10% discount off our simple, at-home assessment which will measure not only your Omega 6:3 ratio, but your body’s current level of inflammation as well. Your results will give you all the information you need to restore your EFA’s to an optimum level and to eliminate—once and for all—the debilitating effects of chronic inflammation.

Ready to assess your body's essential fatty acid status? Click here to order your at-home assessment: http://bioletics.com/content/essential-fatty-acids. Questions? Call us at #888.371.1033 or send an e-mail to info@bioletics.com.