Keep your Cells Flexible-Essential Fatty Acids

A little known fact is that the human brain is roughly 60% fat. The insulating myelin sheath that surrounds the nerve cells and speeds nerve transmission, is 75% fat. Today we know that fatty acids and the fat we eat affect the brain and body throughout life, from developing fetus into old age.

Every cell in our body is surrounded by a flexible cell membrane composed mainly of fatty acids.  This membrane allows proper amounts of nutrients to enter the cell and ensures that waste products are quickly removed from the cell.

Fatty acids allow the cell membrane to be very fluid.  If it is not, it will loose its ability to hold water and vital nutrients.  When the ability to hold water and nutrients is affected the cells become confused and develop chaotic communication.  This chaotic communication can look some what like a ball in a pin ball machine with the cellular signals pinging and bouncing everywhere at different angles and speeds.  Needless to say, this is not something that will make you feel well.

SIGNS OF FATTY ACID IMBALANCES

• Dry skin
• Dandruff
• Frequent urination
• Irritability
• Attention deficit
• Soft nails
• Alligator skin
• Allergies
• Lowered immunity
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Dry, unmanageable hair
• Excessive thirst
• Brittle, easily frayed nails
• "Chicken skin" on backs of arms
• Dry Eyes
• Learning problems
• Poor wound healing
• Frequent infections
• Patches of pale skin on cheeks
• Cracked skin on heels or fingertips
• Joint pain
• Inflammation

ALPHA LINOLENIC ACID - is the principle OMEGA 3 FATTY ACID-it is broken down into EPA/DHA

DEFICIENCIES OF OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS CAN LEAD TO:

• Decreased Memory and mental abilities
• Tingling sensation in nerves
• Poor vision
• Increased tendency to form blood clots
• Diminished immune function and inflammation
• Increases in triglycerides and "bad" cholesterol (LDL) levels, heart disease, irregular heart beat
• Impaired cell membrane function
• Hypertension
• Learning disorders, ADD, ADHD, dyslexia
• Menopausal discomfort
• Depression
• Eczema, allergies
• Arthritis
• Bowel disease

A Purdue University study showed that kids low in Omega-3 essential fatty acids are significantly more likely to be hyperactive, have learning disorders, and to display behavioral problems.  Over 2,500 scientific studies have demonstrated the wide range of problems associated with Omega-3 deficiencies and fatty acid deficiencies.

Recent statistics indicate that nearly 99% of people in the United States do not eat enough omega 3 fatty acids.

In 1999 the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommended that people consume at least 2% of their total daily calories as omega-3 fats.

TOP 10+   HEALTHIEST FOODS CONTAINING QUALITY SOURCES OF OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS

• Flaxseeds
• Cloves, dried, ground
• Walnuts
• Oregano, dried, ground
• Salmon, baked/broiled
• Cauliflower, boiled
• Cabbage, shredded, boiled
• Brussel sprouts, boiled
• Broccoli, steamed
• Collard greens, spinach, kale, turnip greens, green beans

LINOLENIC ACID-converted to GAMMA LINOLENIC ACID (GLA) is the primary OMEGA-6 fatty acid. Most people actually have an excess of linoleic acid-Omega 6 fatty acid which is found in:

• Olive oil/olives
• Pistachio nuts
• Sunflower seeds
• Grapeseed oil
• Borage oil
• Black Currant Seed
• Evening primrose oil

Omega-6 fatty acids are often not converted to GLA because of problems caused by:

• Diets rich in sugar, alcohol, trans fats, processed foods
• Smoking
• Pollution
• Stress
• Aging
• Viral infections
• Diabetes

OMEGA-6'S HAVE BEEN SHOW TO IMPROVE THE FOLLOWING:

• Diabetic neuropathy
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• PMS
• Psoriasis and exzema
• Aid in cancer treatment

OMEGA-9 (OLEIC ACID)-are technically not an essential fatty acid because the human body can manufacture a limited amount.

OMEGA-9'S HELP TO:

• Lower heart attack risk
• Prevent arteriosclerosis

OMEGA-9'S ARE FOUND IN:

• Olive oil/olives
• Avocados
• Almonds
• Peanuts
• Sesame oil
• Pecans, cashews, hazelnuts macadamia nuts

AVOID trans-fats (hydrogenated oils).  Read all labels on cans and boxes.  Hydrogenated oils are shaped differently than essential fatty acids.  They are straight instead of curved.  Their shape deforms receptors on the cells.  If Hydrogenated oils are consumed year after year you will develop conditions and diseases related to fatty acid deficiency.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID FOOD TIPS

High heat, light and oxygen destroy EFA's

Replace hydrogenated fats (like margarine); cholesterol-based fats (butter/dairy), saturated fats (common cooking oils) with healthy EFA based fats

Sprinkle flaxseed meal and virgin olive oil on salads and vegetables

Eat nuts and seeds instead of oily snack foods like chips

Cook with extra virgin olive oil, it has the best of all the EFA's and withstands changes when heated

*Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, dietary supplements should be taken only under the supervision of your MD or a knowledgeable health care provider.

Avoid EFA'S if you have a seizure disorder, taking Ceftazidime (an antibiotic in a class known as cephalosporins); Anti-cancer treatments, such as doxorubicin, cisplatin, carboplatin, idarubicin, mitoxantrone, tamoxifen, vincristine and vinblastine; Cyclosporine (a medication used to suppress the immune system), NSAIDs such as ibuprofen; Phenothiazines (a class of medications to treat schizophrenia), anti-coagulants (blood thinners).

Related Products: EPA/DHA 

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