Fats that are Essential…

Fats that are Essential…

Living Well, EATING WELL, Moving Well, Thinking Well

When have you last heard that it was OK to eat more fats? Well this HEALTH NEWS YOU CAN USE article talks about just that, with a recommendation to increase your consumption of essential fats (or essential fatty acids). Before you run off and super size your fries though you’ll want to keep reading. We’re talking about a different type of fat.

The term “Essential” means exactly that, the fat is an essential required nutrient for proper function and health in humans. Unlike many fatty acids, essential fatty acids cannot be produced by the body (Omega 3 and Omega 6). They need to be consumed either through diet or supplementation.

In our earlier articles we discussed how the modern diet has changed over the years and the simple truth is, almost all of us require supplementation. In fact, there are two supplements that I recommend for everyone, the first is probiotics and the second is fish oil (essential fatty acid) supplementation which I will be discussing here.

Here’s why. As mentioned, essential fats are required for all life functions. In fact, the majority of the brain is made up of these fats. Every cell requires essential fats for their membrane. The brain of the cell is in the membrane. What other functions do these fats support? Here is a partial list:

  • as mentioned they are a critical part of the cell membrane and help support the contact the cells have with the outside world
  • enable the body to produce prostaglandins – a hormone like substance found in all cells which supports heart function, immune system function and muscular and skeletal structures
  • regulates oxygen use and energy production (most vital role occurring in cells)
  • plays a role in aging
  • helps to form blood cells
  • supports production ands secretion of digestive enzymes
  • helps to lubricate joints (good news for arthritic patients)
  • helps reduce bad cholesterol-LDL, and raise the good cholesterol-HDL
  • helps generate electrical impulses keeping the heart rate regular
  • needed in tissues of the brain (especially during pregnancy where brain size is known to decrease), eye, adrenal glands (stress glands) and testes (male reproduction)
  • helps in the immune system’s ability to fight infection
  • helps regulate inflammation in the body including allergies, arthritis, dermatitis, eczema
  • helps to lower blood pressure
  • helps with depression
  • ensure proper nerve transmission from one nerve to the next – especially in the memory and concentration areas of the brain
  • ensures adequate bone formation and repair
  • plays an important role in the integrity of the digestive tract
  • is a critical nutrient in pregnant and nursing mothers.

Over the last 20 years or so there has been a tremendous amount of research published highlighting the health benefits of essential fatty acid supplementation. During this time a number of good products have been introduced. Some of these are sourced from flaxseed and flaxseed oil, hemp seed oil, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, walnuts and dark green leafy vegetables. And while these sources may be good for providing the body with key fats (omega 3’s) an important consideration needs to be made. From the Omega 3’s and 6’s the body produces other derivatives or fats that the body needs. Two of these are eicosapentanoic (EPA) and docosahexanoic (DHA) fatty acids. These are critical fats that play major roles in the processes listed above. Omega 3’s and 6’s derived from plant sources do not contain these (EPA and DHA). The body has to make these from the others. The problem is that there are many factors in our culture/lifestyle that interfere with this conversion. Some examples of these include:

  • the intake of too much trans-fatty acids (brick margarine, shortening, commercially baked foods and processed food and foods containing hydrogenated oils)
  • consuming too much sugar
  • alcohol consumption
  • nutritional deficiencies
  • viral infections
  • diabetes
  • enzyme deficiencies and genetic anomalies
  • aging

For the above reasons I recommend supplementation with a fish oil. These are rich in the omega 3’s and 6’s in the form that the body needs and can directly assimilate. Over the years we have tried different brands and my recommendation today is the Genestra Cod Liver Oil Forte. This product is also rich in Vit A, D3 and the EPA and DHA we referred to. While I am sure there are other great products out there, I recommend this one product because it’s the one I and others whom I respect in the health field use. Its purity and manufacturing standards are unquestioned. This is very important when it comes to fish oils because you want to make sure that it is free from mercury, cadmium, lead, PCB’s and other contaminants. This product is available in our office.

A final point of caution, if you are using another manufacturer’s brand (liquid or capsule), make sure that when you open the container that you can’t smell the fish. If you can, then the product has already gone “rancid”. Your body will be robbed of its antioxidant reserve just dealing with the effects of the “spoiled” oil.