Essential Fatty Acids Turn Popular Belief Upside-Down By Darrell Miller At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

EFA's Turn Popular Belief Upside-Down

Most of us have heard the phrase “Eat a low-fat diet,” which is a logical result of the philosophy that fat makes you fat. However, the thought that there’s something dangerous about fat in most people’s diets is an oversimplified and sometimes even wrong concept. Thankfully, times are changing. Even though we’ve been into the low-fat craze for over a decade now, obesity in this country has continued to increase. More and more people are realizing that natural fats are not as evil as doctors and the media make them out to be. Recent reports have been released about the benefits of eggs, the advantages of butter, the value of essential fatty acids, and other bits of news which concessions natural fats. Low-carbohydrate diets are gradually receiving more and more popularity. This alone is not proof of benefit; the amount of improvement in weight loss and well being that has been reported definitely shows that these diets will be around for quite some time.

It seems as if the patients who are most conscientious about low-fat routines are also the ones who tend to have the worst health complaints. A new onset of fatigue and skin problems occurred, along with a worsening of PMS and menopausal difficulties. In addition to general nutrient deficiencies, most of these problems were attributed to a decreased intake of essential fatty acids (EFAs). When these patients were treated as if this was the problem, the majority of the patients improved. This new diet, high in essential fatty acids, provided additional benefits.

EFAs come in two major classes, the omega-3 and the omega-6 class. Omega-3 can be found in deep sea fish such as salmon, cod, tuna, and mackerel. Because Eskimos in Greenland eat a large quantity of these fish, studies showed that they have extremely low rates of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer and great amounts of omega-3 fatty acid in their diet. The main acid in the omega-3 group is eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), which has been proven in studies to be far more protective against heart disease than aspirin. It also has been shown to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. Cell membrane production requires omega-3 fats and adequate amounts of this helps to boost immune function. Omega-6 fatty acids can be found in plants such as primrose, borage, and black currant. Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) is the most active omega-6 as it is involved in a magnitude of things including lowering serum cholesterol, helping control blood pressure, fighting skin problems, and improving symptoms of PMS.

EFAs show their best results when both types of classes are taken together. By taking a teaspoon once or twice daily of fresh flax oil, one can easily get both types of EFAs and tackle their symptoms. Another option is taking EFA capsules. However, they should be taken for at least a month to really see results. Keep in mind those nutrients all work together to improve each other’s effects. Therefore, your problem may not be completely attributed to a deficiency of EFAs, so it is okay to experiment because toxicity of these substances is very low. The most recommended regime is a good multivitamin supplement along with an extra vitamin C and an essential fatty acid supplement. Those who take this have a better chance of experiencing benefits. One problem with using essential fatty acids is that they can go rancid and must be consumed quickly and kept away from heat and air.

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