Definitive Explanations

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Definitive Explanations JoAnn Guest May 24, 2003 15:29 PDT

 

 

 

Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA):

ALA is an essential fatty acid found primarily in flax seed and flax

oil and is also found in black currant oil.

 

The positive effects of ALA have been documented in areas including:

high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, immune system function,

male infertility and cancer.

 

The body also converts a portion of ALA

into two other fatty acids, EPA and DHA.

 

Antioxidants:

 

Antioxidants act as stabilizers by preventing oxidation or " breakdown "

of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as essential fatty acids in oils and

in the body. Antioxidants are essential for health and include vitamins

such as vitamin E, mixed tocopherols, vitamin C and beta carotene.

 

Arachidonic Acid (AA):

 

AA is a fatty acid necessary for the infant brain development and small

amounts are required for overall fetal development. However, it is not

generally deemed a " good " fat, because, in excess, AA may have some

harmful effects. AA is produced in the body from dietary Linoleic Acid.

It is also found in meat, dairy and some shellfish.

 

The body uses AA to

produce a class of eicosanoids that are strongly pro-inflammatory,

constrict our blood vessels, and increase the possibility of blood

clotting.

 

These compounds are very useful when you accidentally cut your

skin while peeling potatoes - without them you would bleed to death. But

once you have an excessive amount of these eicosanoids, the results can be

potentially harmful.

 

Eicosanoids:

 

A family of powerful, hormone-like compounds produced in the body from essential

fatty acids. These compounds include prostaglandins,

leukotrienes, and thromboxanes, which are responsible for many of the beneficial

effects of essential fatty acid oils.

 

 

 

Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid (EPA and DHA):

 

These two difficult-to-pronounce fatty acids are responsible for the

beneficial effects of fish oils.

 

EPA produces eicosanoids that have many

beneficial effects in the body. Research demonstrates that fish oils

containing EPA and DHA have therapeutic benefits in areas including:

rheumatoid arthritis, high blood triglycerides, high blood pressure,

cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart beat), infant brain development, and cancer.

 

Fatty Acids:

 

Fatty acids are the basic building blocks for all lipids. Fatty acids

are the nutritional components found in dietary fats and oils, and are

chemical " chains " consisting of carbon and hydrogen and ending with an acid

group. Fatty acids vary in length and degree of saturation, and are

generally up to 26 carbons long.

 

The specific chemistry of the fatty

acid, including the number of carbons and double bonds, will affect how it

functions in the body, including its health benefits.

 

Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA):

 

A healthy body may derive some of the fatty acid GLA from dietary

Linoleic Acid. The richest natural source of GLA is borage (also known

as starflower) oil.

 

GLA is also found in black currant and evening

primrose oils. The body uses GLA to produce eicosanoids that are highly

anti-inflammatory, dilate blood vessels, and reduce blood clotting.

 

GLA

is popularly used by women suffering from PMS. However, GLA has been clinically

indicated to have therapeutic benefits in many other health

conditions including: rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease,

diabetic neuropathy, cancer, and skin diseases such as eczema and

psoriasis. The body definitely needs GLA and most North Americans are

likely not getting enough of it.

 

Linoleic Acid (LA):

 

LA is found in processed foods, margarine, and vegetable oils. LA helps

improve skin conditions. It may also be partially converted to GLA in

the body. The typical North American diet includes an excess of LA, so

we do not need to worry about supplementation with this fatty acid.

 

Nutraceuticals:

This word is derived from two familiar terms: nutrition and

pharmaceuticals. The result is a word that refers to dietary supplements

and/or nutritional ingredients that promote optimal health. The word has

come into common use in the last 10 years, as the interest in

nutritional supplements has surged.

 

Organic:

Plants grown and/or processed without the aid of non-naturally occurring

chemicals including fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.

 

Saturated Fats:

 

Saturated fatty acids result when all carbons in the chemical chain are

" saturated " with hydrogen. This means that the fat molecule does not

contain any double bonds. Saturated fats are dense, solid fats that do

not melt at room temperature - for example the white fat in beef and

lamb. These are known to contribute to

cardiovascular disease when consumed in excess.

 

Soft Gel Capsule:

Gel capsules are a modern invention that allow oil to be " encapsulated "

in a soft shell that is easy to swallow and digest. The capsule also

protects the oil from oxygen - encapsulated oils can maintain their

quality for several years if stored properly. All essential fatty acid

oils are available in capsule form, making them easy to consume on a

daily basis.

 

Triglycerides:

 

Both saturated and unsaturated fats are usually consumed in the form of

triglycerides, which consist of three fatty acids bound to a glycerol

backbone. The attached fatty acids can be either the same or different.

 

The presence of saturated fatty acids will result in a saturated fat;

similarly, the presence of one or more unsaturated fatty acids will

result in an unsaturated fat.

 

In the human diet, triglycerides are by far the most abundant form of

dietary lipids,

 

constituting approximately 95% of total fat consumed.

 

The remaining 5% is in the form of phospholipids, free fatty acids

(fatty acids not bound to a glycerol backbone), cholesterol, and plant

sterols.

 

In addition, triglycerides are the predominant storage form of fat in

the body.

 

Unsaturated Fats:

 

Unsaturated fatty acids result when not all carbons in the chemical

chain are saturated with hydrogen. This means that the fat molecule

contains one or more double bond. The double bonds create " kinks " in the

molecule, producing a fat that is fluid at room temperature.

 

Unsaturated fats help cellular

function and promote heart health.

 

There are two types of unsaturated fatty acids:

 

Monounsaturates -

 

fatty acids that contain one double bond. These fats are fluid at room

temperature. For example, oleic acid, which is found in olive and sesame oils.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The complete " Whole Body " Health line consists of the " AIM GARDEN TRIO "

Ask About Health Professional Support Series: AIM Barleygreen

 

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html

 

 

 

 

 

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