Puritan's Pride Offer Banner
Straight from the Clay
Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics, Vitamins, Minerals, Phytonutrients, Fatty Acids
Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM).

                                  ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS


WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS:

An (essential fatty acid) (EFA) is one that must be supplied by the diet, since the body cannot
manufacture it or cannot manufacture enough of it. Originally designated as Vitamin F when they were
discovered as essential nutrients in 1923. In 1930,  they reclassified as fats rather than as vitamins.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_fatty_acid  There are only two EFAs, alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ),
parent omega 3 and linoleic acid (LA), parent omega 6.

Omega 9 fatty acids are not classed as an EFA, because they can be created by the human body
from unsaturated fats and are therefore not essential in the diet.

ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is the main omega-3 essential fatty acid.  From ALA , the body is able to
manufacture two other important secondary omega-3's — EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA
(docosahexaenoic acid). Contrary to popular belief fish oil is  not omega-3 or ALA , but rather the
secondary omega-3s  EPA and DHA noted, therefore  it is not an essential fatty acids.

Of all the plant seeds, flaxseed or linseed contains the highest concentration of ALA — in fact, 55% of
the oil in flaxseed is ALA. Phytoplankton and algae are also rich sources. The oil from hemp and
black currant seeds also contain, respectively, 19% and 13% ALA. Soybean oil, canola oil, and
walnuts also contain some ALA.

LA  (Linoleic acid) belongs to the omega-6 family of fatty acids.  GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) is
manufactured by the body from LA which is found in abundance in foods containing oils from corn,
sunflower, safflower, soy, peanut and other plants, including flaxseed. Therefore GLA is not an EFA.  
However, GLA production might be reduced in several conditions (advanced age, diabetes, high
alcohol intake, eczema, excessive saturated fat intake, elevated cholesterol, and some vitamin/mineral
deficiencies.) In such cases, it is possible that supplements may be beneficial. Seed oils from black
currant (Ribes nigrum), borage (Borago officinalis), and evening primrose (Oenothera biennis)
are among the few that are rich in GLA. Hemp seed oil also contains a small amount. All of these oils
are also rich in linoleic acid.

Based on the above it is obvious the American diet contains too little omega-3 fatty acids and too
much omega-6 fatty acids. Because they compete with each other for certain enzymes needed in their
metabolism, the concern is that too much omega-6 fatty acids in the diet may interfere with the body's
conversion of ALA into DHA. The ratio of omega-6's to omega-3's in the American diet may be as high
as 14:1 (14 grams of omega 6's for every gram of omega-3's), but a ratio of no more than 3:1 is
recommended by some authorities.

WHY DO WE NEED EFAs:

The American diet is typically deficient in essential fatty acids, which are just as important to your diet
as vitamins and minerals. EFA deficiency results in many health conditions, ranging from inflammation
and PMS to menopausal symptoms.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) support the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and nervous systems.
The human body needs the essential fatty acids to manufacture and repair cell membranes, enabling
the cells to obtain optimum nutrition and expel harmful waste products. A primary function of good fats
is the production of prostaglandins, which regulate body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure,
blood clotting, fertility, conception, and play a role in immune function by regulating inflammation and
encouraging the body to fight infection. Essential Fatty Acids are also needed for proper growth in
children, particularly for neural development and maturation of sensory systems, with male children
having higher needs than females. Fetuses and breast-fed infants also require an adequate supply of
essential fatty acids through the mother's dietary intake. The brain is composed of fats called
phospholipids, which are made from EFAs.

From what we know today, EFAs  perform many functions including:

  • are an important part of cell membranes. They help to determine the fluidity and chemical
    activity of cell membranes.
  • enable the synthesis of prostaglandins - hormone like substances found in all cells which are
    responsible for many functions at cellular level and regulate many body processes such as:
    cardiovascular function, immune system processes and maintenance of the musculoskeletal
    system.
  • regulate oxygen use, electron transportation and energy production (these are the most
    important processes occurring in the cells).
  • help to form red blood pigments (hemoglobin).
  • support the production of secretions of digestive enzymes.
  • help make the lubricants that allow joints to move effectively.
  • help transport cholesterol in the blood.
  • help to generate electrical currents and keep the heart rate regular.
  • needed by the tissues of the brain, retina, adrenal glands and testes.
  • help immune function in fighting infection.
  • help balance the immune system and prevent allergies.
  • ensure proper nerve transmission from one nerve to the next - especially in the memory and
    concentration areas of the brain.
  • ensure adequate bone formation and repair.

There is evidence that EFAs, like EPA and DHA, which are derived from ALA might be useful in
treating bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders. NIH.GOV

http://www.jerrycott.com/IntegrativePsychiatry.html


It should be borne in mind that essential fatty acids (EFAs) are easily oxidized and can increase blood
levels of harmful lipid peroxides! (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8850212&dopt=AbstractPlus ) Oxidative stress may be already
be present in mental illnesses resulting in depletion of membrane fatty acids
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8888122&dopt=AbstractPlus. Neuroleptics also increase
oxidative stress.  Supplementary anti-oxidative vitamins, such as C & E
http://www.jerrycott.com/user/MixedTocopherols.pdf  and phytonutrients such as grape seed extract.



EFAs have been touted by many in the medical community as a treatment for cancers. The links are
provided here for your information.

http://www.brianpeskin.com/

http://www.nexusmagazine.com/articles/EFAsCancerOxygen.html

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GFRD,GFRD:2007-16,GFRD:
en&q=cancer+efas



The Federal Drug Administration evaluated the data regarding secondary Omega-3 fatty acids found
in fish oil reducing the risk of coronary heart disease and determined that “although there is scientific
evidence supporting the claim, the evidence is not conclusive.”
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/NEW01115.html



The FDA or any other organization which makes a claim that one particular nutrient will do this and
that by itself need remedial training in chemistry 101. PLEASE  LEARN THIS IMPORTANT RULE-NO
ONE NUTRIENT ALONE WILL CURE ANYTHING.  The EFAs combined with the other 5
recommended nutrients,  probiotics, digestive enzymes, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients
provides the body all that it needs to regenerate  healthy cells, hence a healthy body, period.