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| Catalog » Vitamins & Supplements » ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS |
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| # Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
are necessary fats that humans
cannot synthesize, and must be
obtained through diet. EFAs
are long-chain polyunsaturated
fatty acids derived from
linolenic, linoleic, and oleic
acids. There are two families
of EFAs: Omega-3 and Omega-6.
Omega-9 is necessary yet
"non-essential" because the
body can manufacture a modest
amount on its own, provided
essential EFAs are present.
The number following "Omega-"
represents the position of the
first double bond, counting
from the terminal methyl group
on the molecule. Omega-3 fatty
acids are derived from
Linolenic Acid, Omega-6 from
Linoleic Acid, and Omega-9
from Oleic Acid. # EFAs support the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and nervous systems. The human body needs EFAs to manufacture and repair cell membranes, enabling the cells to obtain optimum nutrition and expel harmful waste products. A primary function of EFAs is the production of prostaglandins, which regulate body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood clotting, fertility, conception, and play a role in immune function by regulating inflammation and encouraging the body to fight infection. Essential Fatty Acids are also needed for proper growth in children, particularly for neural development and maturation of sensory systems, with male children having higher needs than females. Fetuses and breast-fed infants also require an adequate supply of EFAs through the mother's dietary intake. # EFA deficiency is common in the United States, particularly Omega-3 deficiency. An ideal intake ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids is between 1:1 and 4:1, with most Americans only obtaining a ratio between 10:1 and 25:1. The minimum healthy intake for both linolenic (Omega-3) and linoleic (Omega-6) acid via diet, per adult per day, is 1.5 grams of each. One tablespoon of flaxseed oil can provide this amount, or larger amounts of other linolenic-rich foods. Because high heat destroys linolenic acid, cooking in linolenic-rich oils or eating cooked linolenic-rich fish is unlikely to provide a sufficient amount. # EFA deficiency and Omega 6/3 imbalance is linked with serious health conditions, such as heart attacks, cancer, insulin resistance, asthma, lupus, schizophrenia, depression, postpartum depression, accelerated aging, stroke, obesity, diabetes, arthritis, ADHD, and Alzheimer's Disease, among others. | |||||||
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