Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids are critical for your health, but most people do not obtain the correct amounts of these important fats from their diet.

EFAs are extremely important for brain health, heart health, joint function, and normal growth of your blood vessels as well as for your nerves. As you age, they become even more important to your continuing youth and vitality.

• Assist brain and nerve function
• Support cardiovascular health
• Support immune function
• Support anti-inflammatory processes in the body
• Promote healthy skin
• Form a primary structure of cell membranes
• Support metabolism
• Support muscle, bone and joint health

If you take the time to check out the many benefits of essential fatty acids you will understand just how important they are for aging gracefully and for cardiovascular as well as joint support but …

What are Essential Fatty Acids?

Although there are several omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which are important for health, there are only 2 that are truly essential. They are:

• ALA (alpha-linolenic acid which an isomega-3) and
• LA (linoleic acid which is anomega-6)

Your body must have these two for health but because it is unable to manufacture them it is forced to obtain them from food or supplements. All the other fatty acids can be made by your body from these two.

Omega 9 fatty acids will be discussed shortly. Please keep reading.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

We are often told that Omega 3’s are found in the oil from fish but did you know there are also several vegetarian sources?

If you are like my daughter and can’t stand the taste or smell of fish you will be happy to know that you can obtain your supply from vegetable sources such as:

• chia,
• perilla,
• flax,
• walnuts,
• purslane,
• lingoberry,
• seabuckthorn and
• hemp

Of course you can also obtain these nutrients from supplements. (more on this to follow)

The omega 3’s play an important role as structural components of cell membranes, particularly in your nerve tissue, brain and the retina of your eyes.

Important omega 3 fatty acids in human nutrition are:

• ALA (alpha-linolenic acid): from which the other omega-3 fatty acids are produced in the body.
• EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid): for regulating the inflammatory process and controlling the blood clotting processes in the body and is beneficial for a number of health conditions including heart disease, arthritis and cancer.
• DHA (docosahexaenoic acid): plays a significant role in brain development during the crucial periods of both fetal growth and infancy so, if you are pregnant, it is important to have an adequate intake of DHA to ensure healthy development of your baby’s brain.

Omega 6 Fatty Acids

Omega 6’s can be obtained from several vegetarian food sources such as:

• oils from soy,
• sunflower,
• cottonseed,
• canola,
• peanut,
• grape seed,
• corn and
• red meat

Since Omega 6’s are components of cell membranes, and are responsible for clotting and healing wounds, a lack of these fatty acids may result in rough scaly skin and rashes.

The three omega 6 fatty acids important to your health are:

• LA (linoleic acid) is the only essential omega-6 fatty acid. It is converted to the other omega-6 fatty acids in your body
• AA (arachadonic acid) plays a key role in your body’s immune responses and wound healing
• GLA (gamma linoleic acid) is used by most cells in your body to produce soothing PGE1 prostaglandins (chemical messengers) that help mediate pain and inflammation.

Omega 9 Fatty Acids

Omega 9’s are not considered to be essential fatty acids because your body can create them from other fats however they do play an important role. For example, the omega 9 Oleic acid is a main component of olive oil, which is believed to be one of the key elements responsible for the heart protective effects of the Mediterranean diet.

To Summarize the Role of Fatty Acids in Health

Essential fatty acids impact and control every cell of the body on a second-by-second basis:

• They increase oxidation and metabolic rate and are required for energy production.
• They regulate blood clotting, the inflammatory processes, hormone production, and play a critical role in the growth and development of children.
• They strongly influence the ability of your cell membranes (especially brain and nerve cells) to function and can significantly impact your health.
• Omega 3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and help maintain cardiovascular health as well as good cholesterol levels
• Omega-3 fatty acids may also be beneficial in inflammatory conditions such as Chron’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and lupus.
• Potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression) and ADD/ADHD
• A positive affect on HDL and LDL ratios,
• Reduced platelet stickiness,
• Improved circulation,
• Reduced blood pressure,
• Reduced inflammation and joint tenderness,
• Stimulating the immune system,
• Promoting calcium deposition in bone, and
• Assisting in the balancing of hormones - especially as related to PMS and menopause

WOW! Were is my bottle of Essential Fatty Acids?

With all the importance that has been placed on these powerful nutrients I don’t think we should depend exclusively on our diet, do you?

But there appears to be concern about balance so which product should I buy?

The product I buy for my family:

• Supplies a complete and vital balance of all omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9 essential fatty acids
• Is the first completely vegetarian source of fatty acids
• Provides a high level of DHA,
• Comes from vegetarian sources
• Has no fishy smell, taste or odor
• Is a complete, balanced formulation;
• Is all natural,
• Uses the highest quality ingredients.
• Contains no lactose, gluten, MSG, salt, sugar, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or chemical preservatives, additives or fillers.

If you want to know where I buy all my family’s supplements click the “CONTACT ME” button at the top of this page. Just let me know which nutrient you are interested in and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

God Bless and Good Health,

Return to HOME from Essential Fatty Acids

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Return to Cardiovascular Support

Return to Joint Support (coming soon)