0.24 = 0.24/1 = 24 % Michael On Tue, 2 Jul 2002, Matt Baker wrote: > ----- Original Message ----- > > their omega 6 level is much lower than flax [whic is 20% Om-6]. > > Here's the chance I've been waiting for to ask how to read Cordain's > notations of ratios. I have always been accustomed to seeing ratios > expressed with a : (colon) between the two numbers, and read as "X to Y." > Apparently notation form has changed over time, for it appears that they are > now expressed with a . (period/dot) between the two numbers. Is this right? > > For instance, on pg. 127 of Paleo Diet Cordains says, "Flaxseed oil is, > hands down, the best oil for you. It contains a very low omega 6 to omega 3 > ratio of 0.24." The heading for the list on pg. 128 says "Omega 6 to > Omega 3" and gives the same numerical data of 0.24. My mind sees this as > 0:24, whereas with the period/dot my mind sees it as 24 hundredths. > > He uses this same kind of notation (period/dot) throughout the book for > different lists of rations and it always throws me for a loop. Am I to read > the above as "0 omega 6 to 24 omega 3"? (Incidentally, this grabbed my > attention because I've read elsewhere that flax oil does contain omega 6, > so wouldn't Cordain be indicating here that it contains none?) > > I think I am supposed to read it that way since on pg. 135 he has a tabular > list of nuts and their respective ratios. The heading for the numerical > column reads "Omega 6 to Omega 3 Ratio" and the first line item is Walnuts > 4.2. Therefore, I'm to read this figure in the exact way as the heading, > right? (And mentally convert it to what's more recognizable to me -- 4:2). > > Theola > E-mail: [log in to unmask] Phone: 404-894-9467 Fax: 404-894-4700 Mail: MiRC, Ga Tech, 791 Atlantic Dr, Atlanta GA 30332-0269