Benefits of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids

While both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids belong to what's called polyunsaturated fats, they have distinct differences. They are both referred to as "essential" because they are a necessary part of sustaining a healthy body. The importance is underlined by the fact that our bodies cannot make them, so we must get them through dietary means.

Omega-3s get most of the press, particularly for their anti-inflammatory and heart disease prevention benefits. Additional benefits include improving arthritis, preventing cancer, and improving your skin's condition.

Like an infomercial… but wait, there's more! Omega-3s improve eye health, and benefit brain function, improving mood and memory.

Dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish, such as salmon, rainbow trout, black cod, and sardines. If you are a vegetarian, don't like fish, or just want to mix it up, walnuts, flaxseeds, beans, and winter squash are a few examples of of plant-based omega-3 sources.

The role of omega-6 fatty acids is a little more complicated.

Omega-6 is an important part of a healthy diet, having similar benefits as omega-3. Clinical studies have shown that omega-6 helps reduce arthritis pain, clear acne, and aid in cancer treatment. But, too much omega-6 can cause problems, including inflammation, heart attacks, thrombotic stroke, arrhythmia, arthritis, osteoporosis, mood disorders, obesity, and cancer. The trick is to strike a balance.

Omega-6 deficiency is very rare in the U.S. The American diet typically contains more than 10 times the needed amount of omega-6. That's because it comprises the primary oil ingredient that is added to most processed foods, and we all know that processed foods are in abundance in our diets.

While this balancing act may seem complicated, it ultimately boils down to the basics of healthy eating: minimize processed foods, and include ample servings of fish in your diet (2-3 times a week), and/or plant-sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It's essential to your health.

Source:
http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/12/benefits-of-omega-3-and-omega-6-fatty-acids/

Five Foods That Will Save Your Heart

One way to prevent heart disease is to eat healthy. Five different foods that can literally save your heart are lited below. These are not the only five foods that protect your heart, but they stand out as star performers.

1. Garlic: Known as "the stinking rose," this herb does not stink when it comes to heart health. Numerous studies have demonstrated potential benefits of regular garlic consumption on blood pressure, platelet aggregation, serum triglyceride level, and cholesterol levels – all of which keep your ticker ticking. The other thing I like about garlic is that it can be used to season food so you can cut back (way back) on the salt.

2. Salmon: Swap out the burger high in saturated fat with salmon. Everyone has room for a little saturated fat, but a little goes a long way. A typical cheeseburger has more than a half day's worth (from the beef and the cheese). Saturated fat will clog your arteries and put you at greater risk for a heart attack. Salmon, on the other hand, lowers your risk thanks to heart healthy fats. Omega-3s help prevent erratic heart rhythms, make blood less likely to clot inside arteries, improve the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, and prevent cholesterol from becoming damaged. (Only after cholesterol has been damaged does it clog arteries.)

3. Berries and Cherries: I gotta give equal props to nature's candy here. These sweet treats are high in polyphenols, which prevent cell damage that can lead to unhealthy blood vessels and heart. In the winter months, I opt for the frozen fruits. Try thawing a bag of frozen strawberries in the refrigerator. Top unsweetened, steel-cut oatmeal with these berries and some of the juice and your heart will thank you with every beat.

4. Quinoa: Commonly mistaken for a grain, these tiny sprouted seeds are an excellent source of magnesium, the mineral that relaxes blood vessels. Low dietary levels of magnesium are associated with increased rates of hypertension, ischemic heart disease and heart arrhythmias. Yes, it's as bad as it sounds. Quinoa cooks up quickly and makes great leftovers. Mix in grilled vegetables and roasted chicken for a one-pot dish.

5. Hot Cocoa: How sweet is this? Hot cocoa is chock-full of antioxidants – twice as much as red wine and three times more powerful than green tea. The chilly air of February is no match for a cup of hot cocoa. Here's a tip: many hot chocolate mixes are loaded with sugar. Buy 100% cocoa and then add a small amount of sugar. A teaspoon is enough for me. Don't forget there are natural sugars in the milk so you're better off starting with less sugar.

 

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I just got this article from an email circulating around the office. I believe that this is good for health concious people. In as much as I would like to return the compliment to the person that wrote this article, however, the email that circulated didn't have the information. My apology.

Handbook in Life for the year 2010

Health: 
1.       Drink plenty of water. 
2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. 
3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.. 
4.       Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy 
5.       Make time to pray. 
6.       Play more games 
7.       Read more books than you did in 2009 . 
8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day 
9.       Sleep for 7 hours.. 
10.    Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile. 

Personality: 
11.    Don't compare your life to others.. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 
12.    Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. 
13.    Don't over do.. Keep your limits. 
14.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 
15.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip. 
16.    Dream more while you are awake 
17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.. 
18.    Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness. 
19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others. 
20.    Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. 
21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you. 
22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. 
23.    Smile and laugh more. 
24.    You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.... 

Society: 
25.    Call your family often. 
26.    Each day give something good to others. 
27.    Forgive everyone for everything.. 
28.    Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6. 
29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day. 
30.    What other people think of you is none of your business. 
31.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. 

Life: 
32.    Do the right thing! 
33.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 
34.    GOD heals everything. 
35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change... 
36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 
37.    The best is yet to come.. 
38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it. 
39.    Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy. 

What is UPC and SPC fiber connector polishing?

Whenever a connector is installed on the end of fiber, loss is incurred. Some of this light loss is reflected directly back down the fiber towards the light source that generated it. These back reflections, or Optical Return Loss (ORL), will damage the Laser Light Sources and also disrupt the transmitted signal. Various polish profiles are used, depending on the type of fiber and the application.

For singlemode fiber, the fiber ends are typically polished with a slight curvature, such that when the connectors are mated the fibers touch only at their cores. This is known as a "physical contact" (PC) polish. A typical hand polished connector will measure at –30dB. To reduce the back reflection of a connector, it can be polished to SPC (Super Physical Contact) polish or UPC (Ultra Physical Contact) polish.

Industry standard is a minimum of –40dB for SPC back reflection measurement and –50dB for UPC back reflection measurement. If even less back reflection is required, an APC, or Angled Physical Contact polish, might be necessary. An APC connector has an 8º angle cut into the ferrule. These connectors are identifiable by their green color. An APC polished connector has an Industry Standard Minimum f –60dB ORL measurement. APC fiber ends have low back reflection even when disconnected.