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Have you checked your essential oils lately?
Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature and are considered "good fats." The more liquid a fat is, generally the healthier. Unsaturated fats can be further classified as either monosaturated or polyunsaturated. Monosaturated fats remain liquid at room temperature but solidify at colder temps.{olive oil,peanut}. These fatty acids are usually associated with good cholesterol. On the other hand, polyunsaturated fats remain liquid at room temperature and remain liquid even at colder temps. Sources of polyunsaturated oils include borage, flax, sunflower, safflower, soy, corn, evening primrose and fatty fish.
We can further classify polyunsaturated fats into three major divisions: omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9. The omega-3's and omega-6's are polyunsaturated and they are essential because the body cannot make them. The omega-9's are monosaturated and are considered non-essential because the body can make them from the other fatty acids you consume.
So let's consider the fatty acids that are essential to our health, the ones we must get from our diet, the omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturates.
The parent omega-6 fatty acid is linoleic acid {LA}. From this fatty acid the body can produce its by-products, gamma-linolenic acid {GLA} and arachidonic acid {AA}.
The parent omega-3 fatty acid is alpha-linolenic acid {ALA}. From this fatty acid the body can produce its by-products, eicosapentaenoic acid {EPA}, and docosahexaenoic acid {DHA}.
Only LA and ALA are absolutely essential, however, the fatty acids our body convert from these parent fatty acids include, GLA, AA, EPA, and DHA and these are also generally considered essential. This conversion process uses an enzyme called D6D and this conversion process is vital! The most potent effect that these fatty acids have on our system is the role they play on our hormonal systems. These hormones control the balance of virtually every system in the body including; the mechanism of inflammation, blood clotting and blood vessel dilation. They also control anti-inflammatory and inflammatory prostaglandins, and other immune system responders. But sometimes this conversion process can be blocked. This all important conversion process of the parent fatty acids to their needed by-products must occur if good health can be achieved.
Deficiencies are common when it comes to GLA, EPA and DHA. Our bodies must convert some of the ingested LA and ALA into the essential EPA, DHA, and GLA. It does this through an enzyme process. However, many of us do not produce within our bodies enough of the converted essential EPA, DHA anf GLA because of enviromental pollution, lifestyle choices and modern dietary issues. Because of this many people exhibit the signs of essential oil deficiency. Weight gain, skin conditions, high cholesterol, hormone issues {PMS,prostate,and menopausal symptoms}, joint problems, and bone health are just some of the areas essential fatty acid play a large role. So how do we check on these essential oils, and how do we know we are getting enough?
Here are some of the lifestyle issues that may slow or block this all important conversion: a high intake of LA from refined grocery store vegetable oils, such as corn, canola,sunflower or safflower; ingesting of food additives and drugs,a high intake of trans fatty acids {hydrogenated oils},a high intake of saturated fatty acids such as in meats, excess alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, advancing age, cancer, diabetes, and viral infections. A deficiency caused by any of these factors can result in a hormonal imbalance which can have serious health effects such as inflammation, blood vessel constriction, impaired immune response, increased allergies and abnormal cellular functioning. These are the diseases that can occur because of this imbalance, arthritis, diabetic nerve damage, heart attacks, high blood pressure, atheroclerosis, allergies and skin inflammations and other inflammatory conditions. How do we overcome this apparent problem?
This impaired conversion process cannot be "fixed" but can be by-passed through supplementation. The essential fatty acids EPA, DHA and GLA can simply be taken orally and are not subject to any conversion process. For example, a diet high in EPA from either fish oil capsules or from eating salmon would supply the body with this vitally important oil without having to depend on the body for conversion to receive its beneficial hormonal effect!
So how do we balance our oil intake? How much of the omega-6's and the omega-3's do we need everyday?
First start with your diet and lifestyle. Most people ingest enough LA in their diet because it is so abundant in what we typically eat such as in vegetable oils. ALA is another story, this omega-3 is harder to get because it is more rare in our diets. Found only in small amounts in nuts, green leafy vegetables, wheat germ and black currant seeds. So supplementing with flax or hemp may be recommended. GLA may be very difficult to get in the diet. It is present in mother's milk {interesting} but very rare in food sources, so supplementing seems very important when it comes to this important nutrient. AA is found readily in foods such as eggs, meats, and fish. Too much arachidonic acid can be harmful, however, leading to inflammatory conditions within the body. EPA and DHA can be received in the diet through fatty fish such as salmon, mackeral and tuna. Though heavy ingestion of these fish is not recommended because of mercury issues.
So supplementing with a high quality fish oil seems prudent. Some experts believe that a 2 to 1 ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 may be the most optimal intake. We, here, at FOV agree. We believe most people are consuming enough LA from their regular diets. The area most people fall short is in the omega-3 category. So we usually recommend our customers to supplement with fish and flaxseed oil to fill this "gap". We also recognize that the essential GLA {linolenic acid} is probably deficient in most diets,{remember the conversion problem}, so we will recommend a broad spectrum of essential fatty acids either in liquid or capsule form. Remember flax oil or any other oil that contains LA or ALA does not assure us that we are getting enough of the converted GLA, EPA or DHA. And we feel these fatty acids are the most important for optimal health. One last word on oils, we would be remiss not to talk about the issue of trans fatty acids. These oils are health robbers! There is never a time to ingest these for any reason. Avoid them and tell your favorite food company that use them to change their recipes or you will not buy their product! Read all labels!
If you have any questions regarding fatty acids, please call any of our stores and ask for assistance. We will be glad to discuss this issue with you.
Joseph C. Eorio
President
Vita-Team Member
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| Fresh & Wholesome Market/Fountain of Vitality |
| Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 |
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