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Essential Fatty Acids
(EFAs)
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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.
Essential Fatty
Acids 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.
Essential Fatty
Acids 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.
Omega 3 (Linolenic
Acid)
Alpha Linolenic
Acid (ALA) is the principal Omega 3 fatty acid, which
a healthy human will convert into eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA), and later into docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
EPA and the GLA synthesized from linoleic (Omega 6)
acid are later converted into hormone-like compounds
known as eicosanoids, which aid in many bodily functions
including vital organ function and intracellular activity.
Omega 3s are used
in the formation of cell walls, making them supple
and flexible, and improving circulation and oxygen
uptake with proper red blood cell flexibility and
function.
Omega 3 deficiencies
are linked to decreased memory and mental abilities,
tingling sensation of the nerves, poor vision, increased
tendency to form blood clots, diminished immune function,
increased triglycerides and "bad" cholesterol (LDL)
levels, impaired membrane function, hypertension,
irregular heart beat, learning disorders, menopausal
discomfort, and growth retardation in infants, children,
and pregnant women.
Omega
3 found in foods:
Flaxseed oil (flaxseed
oil has the highest linolenic content of any food),
flaxseeds, flaxseed meal, hempseed oil, hempseeds,
walnuts, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, sesame seeds,
avocados, some dark leafy green vegetables (kale,
spinach, purslane, mustard greens, collards, etc.),
soybean oil, wheat germ oil, salmon, mackerel, sardines,
anchovies, albacore tuna, and others.
One tablespoon
per day of flaxseed oil should provide the recommended
daily adult portion of linolenic acid, although "time-released"
effects of consuming nuts and other linolenic-rich
foods is being studied, and considered more beneficial
than a once-daily oil intake.
Flaxseed oil used
for dietary supplementation should be kept in the
refrigerator or freezer, and purchased from a supplier
who refrigerates the liquid as well.
Unripe flaxseeds
contain a natural form of cyanide, and home gardeners
should be cautious if trying to grow flax. The seeds
must be ripe before harvesting. If attempting to grow
flax at home, consult an experienced grower.
Omega
6 (Linoleic Acid)
Linoleic Acid
is the primary Omega 6 fatty acid. A healthy human
with good nutrition will convert linoleic acid into
gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which will later by synthesized,
with EPA from the Omega 3 group, into eicosanoids.
Some Omega 6s improve diabetic neuropathy,
rheumatoid arthritis, PMS, skin disorders (e.g. psoriasis
and eczema), and aid in cancer treatment.
Although most
Americans obtain an excess of linoleic acid, often
it is not converted to GLA because of metabolic problems
caused by diets rich in sugar, alcohol, or trans fats
from processed foods, as well as smoking, pollution,
stress, aging, viral infections, and other illnesses
such as diabetes. It is best to eliminate these factors
when possible, but some prefer to supplement with
GLA-rich foods such as borage oil, black currant seed
oil, or evening primrose oil.
Omega 6
found in foods:
Flaxseed oil,
flaxseeds, flaxseed meal, hempseed oil, hempseeds,
grapeseed oil, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, pistachio
nuts, sunflower seeds (raw), olive oil, olives, borage
oil, evening primrose oil, black currant seed oil,
chestnut oil, chicken, among many others.
Avoid refined
and hydrogenated versions of these foods.
Corn, safflower,
sunflower, soybean, and cottonseed oils are also sources
of linoleic acid, but are refined and may be nutrient-deficient
as sold in stores.
Omega-9
(Oleic Acid)
Essential but
technically not an EFA,
because the human body can manufacture a limited amount,
provided essential EFAs
are present.
Monounsaturated oleic acid lowers heart attack
risk and arteriosclerosis, and aids in cancer prevention.
Omega
9 found in foods:
Olive oil (extra
virgin or virgin), olives, avocados, almonds, peanuts,
sesame oil, pecans, pistachio nuts, cashews, hazelnuts,
macadamia nuts, etc.
One to two tablespoons
of extra virgin or virgin olive oil per day should
provide sufficient oleic acid for adults. However,
the "time-released" effects of obtaining these nutrients
from nuts and other whole foods is thought to be more
beneficial than consuming the entire daily amount
via a single oil dose.
Food Tips
High heat, light,
and oxygen destroy EFAs,
so when consuming foods for their EFA
content, try to avoid cooked or heated forms. For
example, raw nuts are a better source than roasted
nuts. Don't use flaxseed oil for cooking, and never
re-use any type of oil.
Replace hydrogenated
fats (like margarine), cholesterol-based fats (butter/dairy
products), and poly-saturated fats (common cooking
oils) with healthy EFA-based
fats when possible. For example, instead of margarine
or butter on your warm (not hot) vegetables, use flaxseed
and/or extra virgin olive oils with salt. (This tastes
similar to margarine, as margarine is just hydrogenated
oil with salt.)
Sprinkling flaxseed
meal on vegetables adds a slightly nutty taste. Whole
flaxseeds are usually passed through the intestine,
absorbing water only and not yielding much oil. Also,
it's best not to use huge amounts of flaxseed in its
meal (ground seed) form, as it contains phytoestrogens.
The oil is much lower in phytoestrogens.
In many recipes
calling for vegetable shortening, replacing the shortening
with half as much virgin olive oil, and a very small
pinch of extra salt, often yields similar results.
Adding flaxseed
and/or virgin olive oil to salads instead of supermarket
salad oil is another healthy change.
Replace oily snack
foods, like potato chips and corn chips, with nuts
and seeds.
Extra virgin olive
oil or grapeseed oil are best to use for cooking oil,
as they withstand high heat well.
Various
Reported Health Benifits Of Omega 3 6 9
Studies
suggest that Omega 3 6 9
EFA's may be helpful in treating a variety
of conditions.
Lower
high cholesterol levels
Lowers
high blood pressure
Helps
prevent heart disease
Reduces
the possibility of a stroke
Helps
to control Diabetes
Aids
in weight loss
Reduces
the inflamation of Arthritis
Aids
in the proper assimilation of calcium to fight Osteoporosis
Helps
to boost mental clarity ti fight: Depression, Manic/Depression
(Bipolar Disorder),
Schizophrenia, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD) and Eating Disorders
Helps
one heal faster from burns
Helps
treat Skin Disorders
Helps
reduce the effects of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Helps
build the immune system to treat Asthma
Prevents
Macular Degeneration in many
Reduces
Menstrual Pain
Reduces
the possibilty of Colon Cancer, Breast Cancer and
Prostate Cancer
Other
Although further research is needed, preliminary
evidence suggests that Omega 3 6 9 fatty acids may
also
prove helpful in protecting against certain infections
and treating a variety of conditions including ulcers,
migraine headaches, preterm labor, emphysema, psoriasis,
glaucoma, Lyme disease, lupus, and panic attacks.
Nutritional information
for Infinity Omega
3-6-9 is here
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$10
100
softgels - 1,000 mg each
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