Essential Fatty Acids Goes Against Conventional Wisdom

Only a few years ago we believed the philosophy that our fat consumption in our diet will cause heart disease and clog our arteries. Needless to say, the idea that eating foods high in fat will cause these problems has been debunked.

For the past decade, we have bought into the low fat diet fad, but obesity has continued to increase in the United States. Americans are becoming more aware of natural fats like omega-3 and omega-6. The media have poisoned Americans with the idea that all fats are bad, when in fact, fats found in nature have many benefits for your body. Reports on eggs which have omega-3 essential fatty acids contain natural fats which are beneficial for the body. As the American population become more and more aware of how bad low fat diets can be to your health, low carbohydrate diets will continued to become more popular than low fat diets. The addition of fats to a low carbohydrate diet could help one shed more fat by fooling the body into thinking it has enough fat in the diet to let go of what is in the fat stores of the body.

Those who participate in low fat diets tend to experience onset fatigue and skin problems. Women tend to notice worsening of both PMS and menopausal difficulties. Both men and woman on diets in general, experience nutrient deficiencies when trying to lose weight but when an essential fatty acid supplement is consumed, symptoms of deficiencies decrease, this observation is probably because those dieting reduce their fat intake more so than eliminating vitamins. So when you diet and experience symptoms of fatigue, supplementing with an essential fatty acid supplement could help.

Essential fatty acids come in two major classes, omega-3 and omega-6. Omega-3 is predominantly found in cold water fish such as salmon, cod, tuna, and mackerel, plant sources are now available for those who are vegetarian, such as flax seed, and new to the market hemp seed. Essential fatty acids benefits were observed when scientists discovered that Greenland Eskimos had extremely low rates of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. These Eskimos consumed large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in their diets and of course low amounts of sugar and refined flour. With the conventional thoughts about fats, these Eskimos should have been dropping over like flies from the amount of fat they are consuming on a daily basis.

The primary fatty acid in omega-3 is eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Studies suggest that EPA protects the heart and cardiovascular system better than daily consumption of aspirin. EPA also lowers both cholesterol and triglycerides and protects cell membranes which covers every cell in the body. Omega-3 fatty acids can help boost the immune system as well when one consumes enough of it on a regular basis. The body also produces regulatory chemicals, called prostaglandins, which are highly dependent on omega-3 fatty acids. Those lacking in omega-3 could have hormone problems along with a suppressed immune system.

Omega-6 fatty acids are more commonly found in plants and Americans typically consume low levels of this essential fatty acid as well. Plants with high levels of omega-6 are primrose, borage, and black current seeds. GLA or gamma linoleic acid is the most active form of omega-6 and is involved in many reactions or chemical processes in the body. Omega-6 has been shown to lower serum cholesterol, help control blood pressure, fight skin problems, and improve PMS related problems.

If you are trying to tackle skin problems, immunity, cardiovascular problems, boost energy, reduce PMS, or boost over all health - a teaspoon twice daily of omega-3 and omega-6 can do the trick. Another option would be essential fatty acid capsules for those who do not like consuming in liquid form. Keep in mind that toxicity is very low with essential fatty acids and it is very safe to consume with other vitamins and minerals. If you suspect that you have a health problem always consult your health care practitioner, taking matters into your own hands can be dangerous. Omega-3 and omega-6 can be consumed as a preventative method to help fight various diseases along with your health care practitioner’s advice. Essential fatty acids such as Fish oil, flax seed oil, primrose oil, and other supplements mentioned in this article can be found at your online vitamin store.

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