LIVE SMART WITH OMEGA
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
Essential Fatty Acid, or EFAs, are fatty acids that
humans must ingest because the body requires them for good health but cannot
synthesized them. The term “ essential fatty acid” refers to fatty acids require
for biological processes, and not those that only act as a fuel. Only two fatty
acids are known for humans: alpha-linolenic (an omega three fatty acid) and linoleic
acid (an omega six fatty acid).Other fatty acid that are only “conditionally
essential” include gamma-linolenic acid (an omega six fatty acid),lauric fatty
acid ( a saturated fatty acid),and paimitolic acid (a monounsaturated fatty
acid).
OMEGA SMART
OMEGA 3 FATTY ACID & HEALTHY SKIN
These fatty
acids are responsible for regulating cell function. They maintain the integrity
of cellular walls and aloe transference of waste and water. This function plays
a big part in skin health.
SKIN CELLS AND FATTY ACIDS
Youthful skin
is full of plump, water-filled cells. A skin cell’s ability to hold water
decreases with age. A healthy skin cell has a healthy membrane, which keeps
good things in. Like water and nutrients, and allows waste products to pass
out. It is a fatty acids job to keep that cell healthy it’s membrane
functioning. Not getting enough essential fatty acids results in unstable
membranes that cannot keep their buoyant shape, which in turn leads to saggy
aged skin.
HEALTHY SKIN
HELPS WITH CELLULITE
Depending on their genetics, even the thinnest of super
models sometimes must struggle with the bumpy appearance of fat deposits
pressing against the skin. However,
essential fatty acids might help in the battle. There is evidence to suggest
that the healthier and more supple your skin cells. The less intense the appearance
of cellulite. Consuming plenty of essential fatty acids will give your skin cell
more fullness and flexibility, and thereby possibly reducing the appearance of
cellulite.
PREVENTIVE ACNE
Soft non-oily skin is among the skin types least likely
to suffer acne flare-ups. Acne occurs
when glands over produce the substance keratin and sebum. They clog skin pores
and result in skin infections. Essential fatty acids have a two-fold benefit
for acne. First , they cause healthy cell transference , which helps dissolves
the fatty deposits that block pores and cause acne. They also work to repair
the skin damaged by pimples and blemishes.
THE BEST FOOD FOR HEALTHY
SKIN
FLEX SEED
WALNUTS
SALMON and CANOLA OIL
These food eaten in moderation , all contain enough of
these fatty acids to have a positive effect in your skin.
OMEGA-3S AND BRAIN HEALTH
The omega-3 fatty acid known as docosahexaenoic acid
(DHA) is an important ingredient for optimal brain function. Earl Mindell , RPh
PhD, writes in Earl Mindell’s supplement
bible. “There is a reason why fish is known as brain food. It is a rich
source of DHA, a fatty acid that is found in high concentration in the gray
matter of the brain. DHA is instrumental in the function of brain cell
membranes, which are important for the transmission of brain signals.” By making
cell membrane more fluid, omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, improve
communication between the brain cells, according to Mind boosters author Dr.
Ray Sahelia. As a result, lack of omega-3 in the body can cause a communication
breakdown in the brain , which is probably the last place you’d want such a
breakdown to happen.
Omega-3 fatty acids are so important to the development
and proper maintenance of the brain that “some scientist even postulate that it
was the ingestion of omega-3 EFAs that allowed the brain to evolve to the next stage
in human development,” according to superfoods
authors Steven G. Pratt and Kathy Mathews . While omega-3s were abundant in our
diets before the 20th
century, they are now seriously lacking. The Editors of FC&A Medical
Publishing write in The Folk Remedy Encyclopaedia, Just like a machine, your brain need a oil—in
the form of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids—to run smoothly.
Unfortunately , the average diet doesn’t contain the
right balance of these fatty acids. If you eat typical modern diet. You
probably get plenty of omega-6 through corn, soybean, and other oils in
processed food. But omega-3 oils, which are just as important are often missing.
DIETARY SOURCES
Fish, plant, and nut oils are primary source of omega-3
fatty acids. Very good source of these fats include scallps, cauliflower,
cabbage, cloves and mustered seeds. Good sources of these fats include halibut ,
shrimp, cod, tuna, soybeans, tofu, kale, collard greens and Brussels sprouts.
EPA and DHA are found in cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut,
sardines, tuna, and herring. ALA is found in flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, canola (
rapeseed) oil, soybeans, soybeans oil, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed oil, walnuts
and walnut oil. The health effects of omega-3 fatty acids come mostly from EPA
and DHA, ALA from flax and other vegetarian sources needs to be converted in the
body to EPA and DHA.
Recommendations
·
EPA
1-2 % of dietary calories for adults
·
Omega-3
fatty acids0.2-1% of total calories
·
EPA
& DHA greater than 650mg/ day
·
WHO
recommended 0.8-1g daily of ALA & 0.3-0.5g of omega-3 fatty acids