subject: Essential Fatty Acids and Your Health [print this page] Essential Fatty Acids and Your Health Essential Fatty Acids and Your Health
Essential fatty acids (EFA's) are nutritional elements, which our bodies cannot produce. They are as vital to us as vitamins and we need to ingest them from food sources.
Essential fatty acids are just that Essential to our Health, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, psoriasis and eczema, brain and nerve function, cancer, women's health and other miscellaneous conditions. EFA's also address Neurological disorders, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysphasia, ADHD, Tourettes syndrome, autism, epilepsy, schizophrenia, depression, dementia.
Although I personally do not approve of scientific studies on animals, such studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids were found to prevent ventricular fibrillation when given to animals just prior to experimentally induced heart attacks. In another study, scientists compared blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids men who died of sudden cardiac death against living men matched for age and smoking habits. They found that high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood were associated with a low risk of cardiac sudden death. Men with the highest blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had an 80% lower risk of sudden cardiac death than men with the lowest blood levels.
These EFAs are necessary for the following processes:
Formation of healthy cell membranes
Proper development and functioning of the brain and nervous system
Proper thyroid and adrenal activity
Hormone production
Regulation of blood pressure, liver function, immune and inflammatory responses
Crucial for the transport and breakdown of cholesterol
Support healthy skin and hair
EFA deficiency is on the rise due to the use of polyunsaturated oils used to the mass commercial refinement of foods that contain fats and oils. Today's food production methods have led to the almost complete removal of all the essential fatty acids from the modern American diet. What's more is the increase in the total amount of unnatural fats and oils that have been added to the diet in the form of trans fatty acids and partially hydrogenated oils - seen in all mass produced fast food products.
Signs of EFA Deficiency:
Dry, scaly or flaky skin
Cracking/peeling fingertips & skin
Small bumps on back of upper arms
Patchy dullness and/or color variation of skin
Mixed oily and dry skin
Thick or cracked calluses
Dandruff or cradle cap
Dry, brittle hair
Soft or brittle fingernails
Slow growing fingernails
Dry eyes
Dry mouth/throat
Inadequate vaginal lubrication
Premenstrual breast pain/tenderness
Excessive thirst
Allergic (eczema/asthma/hay fever/hives)
Crave fats/fatty foods
Stiff or painful joints
If you are looking for a great EFA supplement image below.
