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EFA's: Good Fats
Originally published in Natural Living MagazineIn 1956, Hugh Sinclair, one of the world's greatest nutritional researchers, claimed that most of the so-called "diseases of civilization" - coronary heart disease, thrombosis, cancer, diabetes, inflammation, and skin diseases - were caused by a disturbance in fat metabolism. The major reason for this, he wrote, is that modern diets are full of processed foods rich in saturated fats and trans-fatty acids (bad fats), but are severely lacking in essential fatty acids (good fats).
At the time, Sinclair's theory was not well accepted by the scientific community. Indeed, he became a subject of ridicule and rejection. Modern science, however, has discovered that essential fatty acids (EFAs) do indeed profoundly influence human health. In fact, Sinclair is now recognized and praised for insights that were far ahead of his time.
Today, we know that EFAs control or modulate an amazing number of cellular processes. Each EFA plays a specific role in the body. Just like other essential Vitamins and Minerals, all are necessary for good health. Furthermore, a diet rich in EFAs can be helpful for preventing and dealing with many diseases.
Research with EFA supplementation has shown promise in a number of areas including: cardiovascular health (high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood triglycerides), diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, mental disorders and brain function, and infant development.
Four Essential Fats
Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA)
ALA is found primarily in Flax Seed Oil. The positive effects of ALA have been documented in several areas including: high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and immune system function.Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)
The richest natural source of GLA is Borage (also known as Starflower) Oil. GLA is found in Sangster's EFA (Borage, Flax and Fish Oils) and Evening Primrose Oil. GLA is popularly used by women suffering from PMS. GLA, however, has been clinically indicated to have therapeutic benefits with many other health conditions, including: rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetic neuropathy, and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid (EPA and DHA)
These two difficult-to-pronounce fatty acids are responsible for the beneficial effects of Fish Oils. Research demonstrates that Fish Oils containing EPA and DHA have therapeutic benefits in areas that include: high blood triglycerides (a risk factor for heart attacks), high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart beat, which may lead to death if it occurs during a heart attack), and infant brain development.Using EFAs
Cardiovascular Diseases
Essential fats: ALA, GLA, EPA & DHARecommended oils: Sangster's EFA (Borage, Flax and Fish Oils)
Recommended use: Effective dosages for lowering blood cholesterol levels are in the range of 1 to 4 grams of Borage Oil per day which is found in Sangster's EFA's. Effective dosages for reducing stress-related blood pressure are in the range of 5-6 grams of Fish Oil daily. In addition, 1-2 grams of Flax Seed Oil daily may increase the chances of survival in the event of a heart attack. Blood pressure should be monitored regularly during EFA supplementation to ensure that it remains in a healthy range.
The idea that fish and seafood consumption could help prevent coronary heart disease originated from studies of Greenland Inuit in the 1970s. It was observed that Inuit had a much lower rate of coronary heart disease than Danes also living in Greenland even though the Inuit consumed a far greater amount of fat. The answer to this paradox rested with the Inuit's high marine fat diet. The Inuit diet contained high levels of EPA and DHA. In the last two decades, we have learned that both ALA and GLA also play a preventative role in cardiovascular disease by lowering blood pressure and slowing the progression of atherosclerosis, which is the underlying mechanism of the majority of coronary disease and heart attack cases.
Mental Disorders and Brain Function
Recommended fat: DHARecommended oils: Sangster's Cod, Halibut, Salmon Oils, or EFA's
Recommended use: Although very large quantities of DHA (up to 20 grams of Fish Oil) are required for therapeutic benefit in the case of serious mental illness, everyone should take a basic amount of DHA (2-3 grams of Fish Oil daily) for the maintenance of healthy brain function.
Researchers at the Harvard Medical School in Boston have shown that Fish Oil improves bipolar disorder, commonly known as manic depression. Other research demonstrates that low levels of EPA/DHA are also commonly found in patients which suffer from: ADD/ADHD, Parkinson's Disease, aggression, Alzheimer's Disease, and depression.
Your body needs EFAs just like it needs other essential Vitamins and Minerals. The average person does get some EFAs through diet but not enough to meet recommended daily amounts. Daily supplementation is the best way to ensure that you get the health-protecting benefits of EFAs.
A practical solution is to look for a blended oil product that combines a balance of these essential fats in one convenient capsule, like Sangster's EFA 3-6-9. People with specific disease conditions should follow the recommended dose for the individual fatty acids as described above for a therapeutic effect. Regular supplementation with these good fats is an important part of a balanced diet - that's why they call them "essential" fatty acids.
By Dr. Artur Klimaszewski MD
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