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DEL.ICIO.USYes, You Need Fat Too- Essential Fatty Acids
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yes, it’s okay to have fat, as you need it too. Remember, these are essential fatty acids (a.k.a. EFA’s). Nutrients your body cannot produce for its own.
From a physiological standpoint, there are only two fats that you really need. These two fats create all other needed fats in the body. Ironically, though there are only two, you may not be getting any. Most of you already know the names of these fatty acids, as they are Omega-3 and Omega-6. In the dietetic word they are also know as lenolenic acid (Omega-3) and lenoleic acid (Omega-6). So, where do they come from and why are they important?
For most of you, getting enough Omega-6 is not a problem. You get Omega-6’s from canola oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil. In case you haven’t noticed from the food labels, you get plenty of these fats from most processed foods and the foods you may make at home with vegetable oil. However, Omega-3’s (lenolenic acid) may sometimes not fall into your typical diet.
Omega-3 is found in fish oil. Of course, this means it comes from fish. The fish that have significant amounts of Omega-3 are cold water fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and trout. Warm water fish like flounder, haddock, and shellfish have insignificant amounts. If you avoid fish, then you can get it from flaxseed oil or linseed oil.
The primary functions of EFA’s are to create prostaglandins that are “hormone-like” substances that help control a variety of other functions. Here are few:
* Structural Component of Cell Membranes
* Regulation of Blood Pressure
* Nerve Transmission
* Allergic Response
* Heart Function
* Steroid Hormone Production
Now, the question of whether or not you need to take an EFA supplement. Knowing what the American diet is, my recommendation is to take a tablespoon of flaxseed oil once a day. I choose flaxseed, because it is a plant form that contains the fatty acid you tend not to get enough of which is omega-3. Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about getting a fish oil based omega-3 that might have shellfish or something else you might be allergic to. Flaxseed oil also has omega-6. When you buy it, be sure that is bought refrigerated and in a non-clear container. Keeping it out of sunlight and keeping it cold will keep it in its unsaturated state.
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By MrLiberty
May 7, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
As always, nature’s perfect food goes unmentioned - hemp seeds/hemp oil.
Hemp Oil provides the ideal 3:1 balance of Omega-3 to Omega-6 oils. It contains both 3, 6 and GLA oils. GLA is Gamma Linoleic Acid. GLA stimulates growth of hair and nails, improves health of skin and can reduce inflammation.
And even better than fish oil, your breath doesn’t smell like fish and no innocent animals have to die.
Hemp makes the best fabric, paper, fiber, food, fuel (both biomass and through the distillation of hemp oil), but all because fhte government is protecting competetive indudstries, the hemp plant remains illegal.
Don’t worry, the oil is THC free, tastes fantastic, and sends a meesage to the clowns thaf control this country that you are an informed consumer that knows their rights and isn’t going to buy into their infantile demonization rehetoric.