February 2006 | Whole Health
EFAs Q & A with Ann Louise Gittleman
Food expert Ann Louise Gittleman explains why we need EFAs
We’ve all heard plenty about the importance of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) in our diets. For what particular bodily functions are they needed?
EFAs are important for every single bodily function that involves the cardiovascular, immune, reproductive and respiratory systems. Deficiency has been linked to many diseases including mental disorders, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension and inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. EFAs are required for the proper structure and function of every single cell in the body, and help to increase the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
Can we get enough EFAs from food, and if not, why not?
Unfortunately, EFA deficiency is all too common because of poor food and lifestyle choices as well as environmental factors. Excessive amounts of trans fats and saturated fats, plus mineral deficiencies, age, viral conditions and diabetes act as metabolic roadblocks in the conversion of the raw material precursors linoleic and alpha linolenic acid to their active derivatives.
What are the differences among omega-3, -6 and -9?
These are the three major classes of unsaturated fatty acids. The first two are considered essential because the body cannot make them by itself, while the omega-9’s are non-essential fatty acids because the body can make them from other fatty acids. Omega 3’s are found in fish and flax, omega-6’s are readily available in evening primrose, borage and black currant seed oils, and omega-9’s are in olive and peanut oils.
Ann Louise Gittleman is author of the Fast Track One-Day Detox Diet and a spokeswomen for Health from the Sun. healthfromthesun.com.
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