The Omega Plan  presents breakthrough research that will transform the way you think about fat. Fat is more than fuel. Some "good" fats are essential nutrients that influence every aspect of your being, from the beating of your heart to your ability to learn and remember. A renowned expert on nutrition, Dr. Artemis P. Simopoulos tells you exactly which fats and other nutrients you need to experience optimal health. Dr. Simopoulos is an international authority on essential fatty acids or EFAs, the building blocks of fats that are necessary for good health. There are two families of EFAs: omega-6 and omega-3. An ideal diet contains a balance of these nutrients, yet the modern American diet contains far more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3s. This hidden imbalance makes you more vulnerable to heart disease, cancer, obesity, inflammations, autoimmune diseases, allergies, diabetes and depression -- all of the so-called diseases of civilization. The medically proven Omega Plan balances EFAs and other essential nutrients, helping your body to function as nature intended. The Omega Plan is a natural, time-tested diet. New studies have shown that we function best when we eat foods that are similar to those eaten by our remote ancestors, a diet including an abundance of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and the proper balance of EFAs. Unlike other nutrition programs, The Omega Plan offers delicious options. First, the diet is 35 percent fat, allowing you to eat real salad dressings, mayonnaise, cheese and the occasional chocolate dessert -- absolutely guilt free! You will be healthier on this program than if you were to eat nothing but steamed vegetables, rice and tofu. You will happily stay on this diet for life, and you won't gain weight. On The Omega Plan, you won't have to calculate your lean body mass, convert your food into "units," or struggle to satisfy a rigid ratio of fat, carbohydrates and protein. By simply choosing the right fats and eating more fresh fruit, vegetables and legumes, you will be satisfying most of The Omega Plan's seven dietary guidelines. To make your life even easier, the book contains 50 simple recipes, a detailed shopping list and tips for choosing healthful restaurant and convenience food. In three weeks' time, you will have learned to distinguish between the "good" fats and the "bad" fats, restocked your kitchen with healthier ingredients and begun to reap all the proven health benefits of this landmark program. The Omega Plan will restore the natural balance of essential nutrients to your diet and greatly increase your chances of living a long, lean and healthy life.