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Here's some information on EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids)
Essential fatty acids are essential because the human body cannot manufacture them but needs them for many important functions. Therefore, essential fatty acids must be obtained from dietary sources.
Of the EFAs, Omega-3 and Omega-6 are the best known.
Omega-3 and omega-6 are families of essential fatty acids used to make local hormones that control the local functioning of tissues throughout the body. The omega-6 fats tend to have pro-inflammatory effects, and the omega-3s tend to have non-inflammatory effects. We need to have a BALANCED intake of mega-6s and omega-3s for optimal health.
The essential fatty acids include the omega-6 fatty acids, (as found in most common vegetable oils and products from livestock animals raised on grain, and the omega-3 fatty acids, as found in flaxseed oil, wild ocean fish, wild game, products from livestock raised on green vegetation, and fish oil).
Most people consume too much omega-6 fats and insufficient omega-3s. Therefore, we need to decrease the intake of omega-6 sources and increase the intake of omega-3 sources.
Edited from
In Reply to: Essential Fatty Acids (aka Omega 3, 6 and 9) posted by An Organic Connection [7396.3043] on March 19, 2008 at 01:14:30:
Are double posts fun? Don't know how that happened.
Early Signs of EFA deficiency:
* Fatigue and lack of endurance
* Dry skin, cracked nails, dry hair
* Dry mucus membranes
* Maldigestion
* Constipation
* Weak immunity
* Depression
* Forgetfulness
* Hypertension
* Chronic arthritis
* History of cardiovascular disease
In the news recently, there has been coverage about the ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6. Most people actually ingest much more omega-6 than they need each day, it is important to get enough omega-3 and cut back on extraneous omega-6 intake.
In Reply to: Essential Fatty Acids (aka Omega 3, 6 and 9) posted by An Organic Connection [7396.3043] on March 19, 2008 at 01:14:30:
Some people are concerned if consuming an EFA fat cause them to gain weight.
Of all the poly-unsaturated fatty acids in the human diet, the omega-3 fatty acids, as found in flaxseed oil and fish oil, put the least amount of fat on the body. In fact, these fatty acids actually increase metabolism and the burning of undesirable body fat. This is the reason knowledgeable personal trainers advise using flaxseed oil and fish oil as sources of energy that will not add extra unwanted fat tissue.
Will EFAs interfere with medicines?
It is important that you consult your pharmacist or health care professional concerning your medications and let them know that you are planning to use an EFA (and the type) oil as a part of your daily diet in order to obtain the healthy fats that your body needs.
Are EFAs safe during pregnancy?
Please consult with your health care practitioner whenever embarking upon a new health care regime or when significantly altering or supplementing your diet, especially when pregnant.
Can EFAs be added to hot foods?
Most EFA oils, especially those from plants (flax, hemp, walnut) should not be used in high-heat cooking. Instead, add your oil to foods that are already cooked or reheated to avoid any possibility of adversely affecting the omega-3s. The oil can be safely added to foods that are table ready.
Many use EFA oil as the basis of a salad dressing. I find this undesireable, because much of the oil is left on the bowl. I prefer to simply drink my EFA oil, or use a capsule. Caps are convenient for travel, but are large and you have to take many of them to get your daily amount. Drinking it is much more efficent.
Plant oil EFAs can be used topically. The best absorption is internally.
In Reply to: Essential Fatty Acids (aka Omega 3, 6 and 9) posted by An Organic Connection [7396.3043] on March 19, 2008 at 01:14:30:
Borage and Evening Primrose oils are great sources of Omega-6 EFAs.
These oils contain EFA known as GLA. Borage has been helpful for people with certain skin problems.
For decades, women have been using evening primrose oil to alleviate the discomfort of PMS.
For having such similiar qualities, the price differential is huge! The more costly one is the better known one, and it's properties were discovered first.
In Reply to: Essential Fatty Acids (aka Omega 3, 6 and 9) posted by An Organic Connection [7396.3043] on March 19, 2008 at 01:14:30:
EFA oils are precious. The good ones are made fresh, and shipped cold. They need to stay cold. Once opened, they need to be consummed within 8 weeks.
Omega 3 oils can be frozen to retain their quality. There is not any research showing Omega 6 can be treated the same way.
Some Omega 3 oils have plant parts in them ~ lignans. These are very good for you. Lots of phytonutrients. Shake well before using!
The amount to take is based on your weight...1 Tablespoon for every 100 lbs is a good rule.
Which to take...fish or plant? If you are highly deficient, start with the fish. When you begin to see some result, switch to plant. They are complementary, and some people take both.
As I said before, some people do not see a result with fish oil. No known reason yet. Sometimes you have to experiment with source types to find what works for you.
My favorite brands: Barlean's and Udo's. Hemp is produced by a number of Canandian manufacturers... Nutiva and Manitoba are probably the largest.
Barlean's has been the base source of most of this thread, with edits.
In Reply to: Essential Fatty Acids (aka Omega 3, 6 and 9) posted by An Organic Connection [7396.3043] on March 19, 2008 at 01:14:30:
Omega-9 is a family of fatty acids which includes two major fatty acids called stearic acid and oleic acid.
Stearic acid is a saturated fat which can be converted to oleic acid, which is monounsaturated. Oleic acid is the most abundant fatty acid found in nature and the primary oil produced by skin glands.
Omega-9 is a NON-Essential fatty acid, since it is produced naturally by the body. It does not need to be supplemented. Omega-9 is mainly used when there is an insufficiency of either omega-3, omega-6 or both.
When the body doesn't have enough omega-3 or omega-6, it tries to compensate by producing omega-9 fatty acids to take their place. Omega-9 derivatives aren't as effective as omega-3 or omega-6 though and our health will eventually suffer.
In Reply to: Re: Essential Fatty Acids ~ Omega 9 posted by An Organic Connection [7396.3043] on March 19, 2008 at 01:41:20:
Thanks, Organic.
Correctamundo.
You may have noticed that I have not recommended omega 9s for years and now only routinely recommend supplementing with omega 3s. Very rarely is is helpful to also recommend omega 6s for specific conditions.
Walt
In Reply to: Essential Fatty Acids (aka Omega 3, 6 and 9) posted by An Organic Connection [7396.3043] on March 19, 2008 at 01:14:30:
I take Super EPA/DHA (with Seaame Lignans & Olive Fruit
Extract) two a day. One after breakfast, one after lunch. But not if I know I will be eating a lot of fish
that day - if I know!
I have Crohn's, mild, and have beeen taking them for years. About 3 years after I had told my Gastroenterologist I was taking them, he said that
"for some with Crohn's, Fish Oils can be better than any meds." I have controlled my Crohn's with other vits, too - digestive enzymes, calcium with D3, magnesium and other minerals. Also with a good multi
-vit twice a day.
Here's what Life Extension says about them - worth a read because they can be good for more than one thing:
http://www.lef.org/newshop/items/item00902.html
O
In Reply to: Re: Essential Fatty Acids (aka Omega 3, 6 and 9) posted by OppOnn [6.304] on March 25, 2008 at 11:51:21:
PS : I also control my Crohn's with an elimination
diet I gave myself, which is key to my remission.
If I eat or drink the wrong things, I immediately
get a d. and that can trigger more than a normal d.
did before my Crohn's!
O
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