More specifically, controversy continues to surround the theories that 1)
dietary fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol cause heart disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer and should be replaced in the diet with polyunsaturated vegetable
oils; 2) a diet high in carbohydrates will reduce the risk of chronic disease; and 3) excessive sodium intake is the
primary variable in the etiology of hypertension, a risk factor for heart disease.
The
primary dietary source of omega - 3 fatty acids is alpha - linolenic acid (ALA) from seeds and seed
oils that are derived from plants such as flax, walnuts, and canola.