Sharon asked me if the oils that we apply to our bodies in lotions, conditioners, and shampoos make a difference for skin health.  The evidence is that you can eat oils or apply them to your skin.  Oils that we rub on skin also get absorbed into our bodies.  Whether eaten or rubbed on, they become part of our cell walls.  The effect is most obvious on the skin where they are applied. 

Evening primrose

Topical application works.

Studies show that oils are absorbed into the body both by skin application and by mouth.

What do these oils do?

Oils that we apply to our skin are mostly plant based fatty acids, most notable are omega 3’s, omega 6’s, and omega 9’s.  They are all involved in healing and protection of our skin and other parts of our bodies.  Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids, EFA's.  Our bodies cannot make them.  They work best if they are present in a proper ratio, not too much, not too little, just right.

Omega 3 and Protection from Skin Aging.

Ultra violet light causes an inflammatory response in skin. UV can be from the sun or a tanning bed. Smoking or other toxins can cause inflammation as well.  An omega 3, EPA, reduces it  by suppressing some of the enzymes that react to toxic stimuli. These enzymes can break down collagen.  When skin is injured, there is a 3 step healing process of inflammation, tissue formation, and tissue remodeling.  The inflammation should be shut down right after it has served it’s purpose of recognizing the injury. Shutting down inflammation is also a key role of EPA.  Without enough EPA, the inflammation lingers and the remaining tissue formation and remodeling are compromised. This protective effect works best in the presence of nutrients such as vitamin C that act as antioxidants, protecting the delicate omega 3. Omega 3 fatty acids are necessary but fragile.  EPA is abundant in cold water fish but can also be manufactured in your body from plant omega 3's, albeit inefficiently.  If you are a vegetarian or don't like fish, eat plenty of flax oil and other high omega 3 sources.  Grass fed butter and meat can be a modest source as well.

Omega 6 and Protection from Infection

On the other hand, omega 6 (linoleic acid) is needed for protection, allowing for an inflammatory response to signal the body's healing system.  Without enough, skin is more vulnerable to infection.  Skin barrier recovery requires omega 6 high oils.  High GLA omega 6 oils such as borage or evening primrose are especially useful for sensitive or chronically irritated skin since GLA has antioxidant properties.  Omega 6 is abundant in the food supply and requires no special effort.  It would make sense to rub it on damaged, irritated skin.

Omega 9

Omega 9 (oleic acid) has been shown to accelerate wound closure.  Omega 9 competes with omega 3 and omega 6 in metabolism and besides, your body can manufacture it.  Little or no need to supplement with omega 9.  A proper balance is the most desirable situation.  It would be safer to consume or apply a variety of oils rather than focusing on one.  Cooking only with a high oleic  oil, while healthy in moderation, may shift the balance.

The best ratio for your body.

No more than 4 parts omega 6 and at least 1 part omega 3.   Excessive omega 9 is unwise too but a lesser concern.  This should apply to food or lotion.  The diet in North America tends to be heavily loaded with omega 6 and short of omega 3.  Ratios of more than 30 to 1 omega 6 to omega 3 are common.  Not surprising, because omega 3 will shorten the shelf life of products because it readily oxidizes and becomes rancid.

Dave

Butter coffee!? exclaimed Lhalung, my Tibetan friend.  Tibetans have drunk butter tea for eons.  The Sherpas claim that it allows them to carry loads up Mt. Everest.
This “new” thing makes Lhalung smile.  Drinking butter coffee runs counter to nutrition advice that dates back to the 1950’s.  The science is now telling us the opposite.  Saturated fats are good and carbohydrates need to be curbed.   The reports are perhaps not surprising, that people feel focused, energetic, and sated after a cup of butter coffee.  They even lose weight!  What is the recipe?




Breakfast…

8 ounces of strong, very fresh (not rancid), low toxin coffee (organic)
1 ounce of grass fed butter (Kerrygold from Costco is a good choice)
1 ounce of very clean coconut oil (organic in a glass container)
a pinch of stevia if you like it sweet
no carbohydrates but eat some protein if you wish
(you may want to try a teaspoon of butter and coconut if you want to work your way up)

Moderate caffeine consumption (2 to 3 cups of brewed coffee per day) can be good for the brain, associated with preventing Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.  Fresh coffee is also full of antioxidants like no other food item.  

Coconut oil contains approximately 50% lauric acid.  It boosts HDL, boosts the immune system, .  The medium chain triglycerides (MCT’s), fats can act like carbohydrates, metabolize directly in the liver and give twice the energy per gram.  Just don’t have carbohydrates available for your body and it will use fat.

Grass-fed butter, as well as having cancer fighting antioxidants, is full of good cholesterol (yes, it is OK to eat cholesterol), an excellent omega 3 to omega 6 ratio, vitamin K2, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) that helps burn body fat.  Avoid grain fed butter because the nutrients are not nearly as beneficial.  

If you try this, let me know how you feel.

Dave