EFAs ‘The Bodies Must Have Oil’

What are Omega-3 EFA’s? Basically, they are a kind of fat that is a very important part of good health.

EFA stands for essential fatty acid, and like all nutrients referred to as "essential", your body cannot make them. You must get Omega-3from your diet. The most common Omega-3 fatty acid is known as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA); this is the precursor to other EFA’s including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

To be useful to your body, ALA must be converted to EPA and DHA (DHA is considered the most important of the Omega-3s). The body can make its own EPA and DHA, but it needs linolenic acid (which it cannot make) to do so. Confusing? Maybe it would just be easier to remember that the best source of DHA Omega-3 is fish oil, especially oil from fatty fish like salmon and tuna. Make sure you include this type of fish in your diet to guarantee that your body gets this key essential fatty acid.

So why is this important? Well, with all the negative publicity surrounding fat these days, many people avoid it completely and don’t get the essential fats that the body needs. Even if you don’t avoid eating fats, chances are you are eating the wrong kinds. The role of Omega-3 EFA’s include keeping cell membranes intact and making hormone-like substances that are needed to regulate blood pressure, blood clot formation, levels of fat in the blood and the immune system.

These fats are actually good for your heart and prevent the build-up of plaque that can clog arteries, putting you at risk for a heart attack or stroke. Omega-3 oils also help blood vessels relax which lowers blood pressure.

In addition to the many already noted, Omega-3 EFA’s have other benefits including anti-inflammatory properties that help keep the skin healthy. Because Omega-3 EFA’s are essential building blocks of cells, having enough of them reduces the risk for many conditions related to inflammation including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation of the skin or intestinal tract, eye problems, kidney damage and Alzheimer’s disease.

Another very important thing that Omega-3 EFA’s do is support brain function. In fact, deficiencies of Omega-3 EFA’s have been linked to depression. Your brain is about 60% fat and it needs a steady supply of EFA’s to function well. Deficiencies of Omega-3 fatty acids can cause memory problems, attention deficit and possibly dyslexia.

Omega-3 EFA’s are a paradox in that they benefit the body in ways that most fats do not. A case in point is the apparent ability of essential oils from fish to help the body burn fat more efficiently. It appears that they do this by working on genes that affect insulin levels, helping the body stay lean by keeping insulin levels down.

Fish is the best source of Omega-3’s since it already contains EPA and the key essential fatty acid, DHA. When you consume fish rich in EFA’s your body does not have to convert ALA into EPA and DHA.

Now, here’s the kicker. Even if you could eat fish three or four times a week there are concerns that it may be infected by environmental contaminants (including PCB’s) and mercury. To minimize exposure to these contaminants it is recommended that you eat about 12 ounces of fish from cold water a week, preferably small fish like mackerel and sardines. Also, you can opt for fish free of harmful chemicals and contaminants, which is hard to find but not impossible... This one has been tested and found safe.

What else can you do? Another good option is to take a pure Omega-3 supplement. If you choose this option remember what we said about dietary supplements and do some research first. Be sure your Omega-3 supplement is GMP-compliant and is free of contaminants. The best Omega-3 supplements are molecular distilled and made from DHA Esters (which means the body does not have to convert or break down molecules to get to the good stuff).

After a lot of investigation we have found an Omega-3 DHA Ester that we feel good about taking, and recommending to you, because it meets these strict standards. The essential fatty acids in this formula come from Hoki, a type fish harvested in the cold waters of New Zealand. Hoki is naturally free of contaminants as it comes from deep and clean waters. After it’s harvested it is immediately processed on-site to eliminate the risk of contamination through excessive handling. Learn more about this high-quality Omega-3 product and see for yourself why it is a safe and effective choice.

No matter which path you take start adding this extraordinary and healthy oil to your diet to enjoy its multiple benefits. You owe it to yourself!

Wishing you good health and happiness your friends,