# Omega 3 & 6 must be taken together?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 9, 2006, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753 "2006-02-09T22:31:02Z")
**Posts on this page:** 18
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@pace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pace)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2006, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/1 "2006-02-09T22:31:02Z")
I was told by supplement-expert wannabes that in order to achieve all the benefits of Omega 3, it must be taken with Omega 6… is this true? if so, why?
---
### Author:  [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2006, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/2 "2006-02-09T23:09:56Z")
The problem is that most people need to increase their intake of omega 3, and decrease their omega 6.
---
### Author:  [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2006, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/3 "2006-02-09T23:19:25Z")
Simply put, omega 3 = green vegetables and omega 6 = grains and seeds. (Fish contain omega 3 because they eat the plants that produce it.) People generally don’t get enough omega 3 and too much omega 6 (think of how much grain you eat every day compared to veggies). I have never heard of needing to take omega 6 to make omega 3 more effective.
---
### Author:  [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2006, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/4 "2006-02-09T23:21:45Z")
Oh yeah, maybe what they meant is that most sources of omega 3 also contain omega 6 and vice versa. Ignore what I just said in my last post, apparently ABC documentaries are not a good source of information.
---
### Author:  [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2006, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/5 "2006-02-09T23:29:59Z")
If we’re talking about supplements, not too many people have to take omega-6. And according to my doctor, I don’t even have to space my four omega-3 capsules out, I can take them all at once, with or without food. All I know is that they’re working.
---
### Author:  [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2006, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/6 "2006-02-09T23:45:05Z")
You don’t need to take any omega-6s. You get more than enough from a typical western diet. The ratio of omega 6:3 should be 4:1 down to about 1:1. I have heard some talk about a 1:2 ratio but that seems unrealistic.
You generally only get omega-3s in any meaningful quantity from fatty fish and flaxseeds. Omega-6s are found in most of the fats we use to fry and flavor food. COrn oil, peanut oil, soybean oil.
---
### Author:  [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2006, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/7 "2006-02-09T23:52:16Z")
> [@panache45](#):
>
> All I know is that they’re working.
How can you tell? I take them too, but I can’t tell if they’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing.
---
### Author:  [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2006, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/8 "2006-02-10T00:02:11Z")
> [@FlyingRamenMonster](#):
>
> (Fish contain omega 3 because they eat the plants that produce it.)
Fish actually have the ability to synthesize omega-3 acids.
---
### Author:  [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2006, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/9 "2006-02-10T00:11:28Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#):
>
> Fish actually have the ability to synthesize omega-3 acids.
I know. I said to ignore that post.
---
### Author:  [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2006, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/10 "2006-02-10T00:19:07Z")
> [@pravnik](#):
>
> How can you tell? I take them too, but I can’t tell if they’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing.
Get a blood test. Your HDL (good) cholesterol will be higher.
---
### Author:  [@pace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pace)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2006, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/11 "2006-02-10T01:54:12Z")
> [@Wesley Clark](#):
>
> You don’t need to take any omega-6s. You get more than enough from a typical western diet.
Ok, this makes sense! I’ll stick to my Omega-3 +‘western diet’ 😃
---
### Author:  [@geminijim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/geminijim)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2006, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/12 "2006-02-10T20:55:18Z")
> [@Wesley Clark](#):
>
> You don’t need to take any omega-6s. You get more than enough from a typical western diet. The ratio of omega 6:3 should be 4:1 down to about 1:1. I have heard some talk about a 1:2 ratio but that seems unrealistic.
>
> You generally only get omega-3s in any meaningful quantity from fatty fish and flaxseeds. Omega-6s are found in most of the fats we use to fry and flavor food. COrn oil, peanut oil, soybean oil.
Don’t forget olive oil for omega-3’s.
---
### Author:  [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2006, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/13 "2006-02-11T04:46:51Z")
> [@Wesley Clark](#):
>
> You generally only get omega-3s in any meaningful quantity from fatty fish and flaxseeds.
I understand that the nutrients in flax seeds aren’t absorbed unless they’re ground into meal or oil. Flaxseed meal has the benefit of lots of fiber too IIRC.
---
### Author:  [@pace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pace)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2006, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/14 "2006-02-11T04:54:42Z")
> [@Chairman Pow](#):
>
> I understand that the nutrients in flax seeds aren’t absorbed unless they’re ground into meal or oil.
Why does it make a difference?
Regarding Olive Oil, I use it frequently with Italian recipes.
---
### Author:  [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2006, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/15 "2006-02-11T05:20:40Z")
> [@pace](#):
>
> Why does it make a difference?
Because the nutrients are inside and the outer shell doesn’t get digested. If they’re not somehow broken up, they pass right through you with no benefits.
---
### Author:  [@pace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pace)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2006, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/16 "2006-02-11T17:04:34Z")
> [@panache45](#):
>
> Because the nutrients are inside and the outer shell doesn’t get digested. If they’re not somehow broken up, they pass right through you with no benefits.
I hadn’t realized that, thank you!
---
### Author:  [@scott62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott62)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2006, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/17 "2006-02-11T20:20:48Z")
Omega 6 and omega 3 should be taken together as they both do different jobs in the same area. There are receptors in the brain (hold out your arm and spread your fingers) which require omega 3 and 6 for optimum funtion. Ok so imagine the lenth of your arm up to your hand this part of the receptor sends the signals to the ends of the receptors (your fingertips) and in order for them to work effectively they need omega 6 to provide a nice coating around them. Now imagine your fingertips, if you hold both hands in front of you, fingers spread out and keeping both hands apart but pointing at each other, this is where the signals are sent from one receptor to another. This is where omega 3 comes in, it helps to keep the area between the receptors clear and enable the signals to be passed on effectively.
But if you have too much omega 6 it cancels out the work of omega 3 it actually adds its protective coating to the ends of the receptors (fingertips) and prevents efficient signal activity being sent and received by the receptors. I was told you need two omega 3 to one omega 6.
The effects of two much omega 6 can present symptoms of ADHD as signals in the brain are not being received properly, you need to ensure you get the balance of omega 3 : omega 6 right in order to reap the benefits.
All of the above was told to me by a clinical psychologist, I may have mixed things up so please don’t quote me on anything. If you’re looking for an exact answer I suggest asking your GP.
---
### Author:  [@pace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pace)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-3-6-must-be-taken-together/343753/18 "2006-02-12T00:10:56Z")
> [@scott62](#):
>
> Omega 6 and omega 3 should be taken together as they both do different jobs in the same area … But if you have too much omega 6 it cancels out the work of omega 3 … you need to ensure you get the balance of omega 3 : omega 6 right in order to reap the benefits… All of the above was told to me by a clinical psychologist, If you’re looking for an exact answer I suggest asking your GP.
Very interesting, and I’m scheduled to meet w/my GP nxt Tues so, will certainly ask her about it.
thank you.