Good nutrition linked to healthy fatty acids



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(NC) — Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are healthy fatty acids that cannot be manufactured in the body and must be consumed in our diets, which is why they are called “essential” fatty acids. Clinical research shows that EFAs are an important factor in the maintenance of good health and play a role in normal growth and development.

Dr. Joyce Johnson is the director of consumer education for Webber Naturals, one of Canada's largest nutritional supplement companies. She explains that omega-3s and omega-6s could be called "families of fatty acids".

"The head of the omega-3 family is alpha-linolenic acid or ALA, found in plants and flaxseed oil. ALA has to be converted in the body into eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, in order to be used. Fish or fish oils on the other hand provide EPA and DHA directly, which is one reason fish oil omega-3 supplements are often recommended. These are not your grandmother's fish oils either; Webber Naturals even has a lemon meringue flavoured omega-3 liquid, making it easy to get your essential fatty acids."

Omega-6 fatty acids are found in polyunsaturated oils. The head of the omega-6 family is linoleic acid. It is converted to gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), which can be found in evening primrose oil and borage seed oil, and into arachidonic acid (AA).

Some health benefits of EFAs:

• Cardiovascular health: Studies show that EFAs can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, promote healthy blood triglyceride levels, and reduce risk for undesirable blood clotting.

• Inflammation: EFAs decrease production of inflammatory agents in the body. They are used for inflammatory conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's.

• Cognitive health and brain function: DHA is highly concentrated in the brain and is recognized as important for optimal brain function.

• Mental health: Results of clinical studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids are useful in preventing or treating some mental and mood disorders, such as depression.

• Behaviour and learning: DHA and AA have been shown to improve some childhood learning and behavioural problems.

The EFAs work together and the optimal ratio would be 4:1, 4 quantities of omega-6 fatty acids to one of omega-3, however a typical North American diet has a ratio of 20:1. Supplementing with potent omega-3s, like Webber Naturals triple strength formula, and limiting intake of omega-6s can help restore the healthy balance of these essential nutrients for optimum health.


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