Guest guest Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 What are Essential Fats? Scientists have given essential fats (a.k.a. essential fatty acids (or EFAs) their name because the body must have them to survive, but cannot synthesize them from any other substance we eat, so a direct food source is required. Hence, the name essential. Why do we need Essential Fats? Just as a member of a large family has many roles,essential faserve many functions in the complex workings of the human body. Taken in the right amounts and ratios,and from the right sources, essential fats help establish and maintain health. The BRAIN is comprised mainly of Essential Fatty Acids—-sixty percent! Essential Fatty Acids are important components of the entire nervous system. They are necessary to make the neurotransmitter *serotonin*.Depression and other brain diseases show decreased levels of n-3s. What are the functions of essential fatty acids? Essential fatty acids have many functions throughout the body. The EFA blend improves mental stamina. In our work with the blended oil, we have seen consistent improvements in brain function, and research with EFAs from other sources has shown brain benefits. Among these are elevated mood, lifted depression, increased calmness, better handling of stress, less hyperactivity, better focus, better mental processing, faster learning, increased intelligence, better concentration, and improved motor coordination. Among the mentally ill, EFAs can decrease hallucinations in schizophrenics, elevate mood, lift depression, improve symptoms in bipolar and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and improve brain function in Alzheimer's disease and autism Cancer- n-3s, n-6s, n-9s - EFAs lower cancer risk. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)- The correct balance of EFAs can decrease most CVD risk factors, including high triglycerides (blood fats), blood pressure, platelet stickiness, fibrinogen, and lipoprotein(a). N-3 also keeps the inside of our arteries smooth. N-3 and n-6 keep the heart beat regular. http://www.udoerasmus.com./FAQ.htm Essential fats are easily damaged by light, air, heat, metals, water, and time. Of all essential nutrients, essential fats are by far the most abused because they are perishable, chemically unstable foods. The majority of refined *supermarket* oils, including oils frequently used in many processed refined foods,have been damaged by destructive processing techniques,which include refining with caustic chemicals, bleaching, overheating, and/or partial hydrogenation (a process which produces n-6s in the form of deadly trans- fats). In 1994, a Harvard School of Public Health press release warned the consumers on the dangers of eating n-6s in commercial oils and trans fatty acids (found in margarines, most commercially baked goods, and deep-frying oils. This includes the majority of oils used in restaurants as well. On June 23, 1999, they again announced a press release on the most recent trans-fat research. It was titled: " Harvard review of evidence verifies that eating n-6s in trans fats increases risk of disease " . Head author, Alberto Ascherio, revealed that if trans-fats were replaced by the monounsaturated fats in extra virgin olive oil, we would expect to see 30,000 fewer premature deaths from CHD (coronary heart disease) each year. " That number was based on the United States alone! By now, it may be increasingly clear that everybody needs essential fats. N-3 consumption has *decreased* to one sixth the level found in our food supply in the 1850s. N-6 consumption has *doubled* over that same period of time, drastically changing the ratio of n-6 to n-3 in our food supply. This change is reflected in the makeup of our tissue fats and in our health. That means that while both n-3s and n-6s are required by every cell, we get too much n-6 and far too little n-3. Each EFA is turned into several derivatives by the body, provided enough n-3 and n-6, in the right ratio, and made with health in mind, are supplied. Research shows that n-3s help in more than twice as many degenerative diseases than do n-6s. More recently (the last 20 years), 'low' fat, 'no' fat, and 'fake' fat diets have been depriving people of their essential fats. This happens because n-6s in refined oils are at the very root of these imbalances. Deficiency of essential fatty acids leads to deterioration of every cell,tissue, gland, organ and organ system and, by extension, to symptoms of deficiency that accompany loss of health. -- Where do Essential Fats come from? Good sources of n-3s are fresh organic green leafy vegetables and nuts. The n-3 derivatives EPA and DHA are found in high fat,cold water fish such as tuna (no-sodium), sardines in water, Alaskan salmon, Pacific and herring, Atlantic mackerel, and lake trout. N-6 is commonly found in sesame seeds,sunflower seeds and other seeds and nuts. Land animal meats and fish are sources of the n-6 derivative arachidonic acid (AA). The fish listed above are preferred sources of n-3 and n-6 derivatives, because they are the richest sources, and contain both, with more n-3s. EFAs make hormone-like *eicosanoids* that regulate immune and inflammatory responses. N-3s have anti-inflammatory effects and can slow autoimmune damage and lower risk factors for cardiovascular disease as well. EFAs (especially n3s) lower abnormally high levels of blood pressure, triglycerides, Lipoprotein(a), fibrinogen, tendency to clot formation, and inflammation; Improve brain function: mood, intelligence, behavior, and vision. EFAs help keep mood and energy up and suppress appetite,thereby aiding in weight loss. More recently, they have been found to block the genes that produce fat in the body (saturated and trans-fats do not have the same effect) and increase thermogenesis; Regulate organs and glands-Liver and kidneys, adrenal and thyroid glands,and the production of male and female hormones need EFAs; Speed recovery and healing. Improve digestion. Poorly digested foods tie up the immune system and can cause gut inflammation, leaky gut, and allergies. N-3s improve gut integrity, and decrease inflammation and " leaky gut " ; Decrease infection. EFAs have anti-fungal, anti-yeast, and anti-microbial properties,helping to protect against infections; Keep bones strong. EFAs aid in the transport of minerals that keep bones and teeth strong, helping to prevent osteoporosis; Protect genetic material. EFAs regulate gene expression, and n-3s inhibit tumor growth. Where do we get Undamaged Essential Fats? Oils made with health in mind come from organically grown seeds. They are pressed under protection from heat, light, and oxygen; packaged in tightly sealed brown glass bottles; placed in a light-excluding box; and stored in the fridge. Oils made with this care - the highest possible quality - are mostly found in health food stores and naturopathic physician's offices, although some department stores and specialty stores are now also servicing their customers. -- What are the Functions of Essential Fats? Essential fats have many functions throughout the body. They are involved in: Energy production. In a study with athletes in Denmark, we showed that within one month of giving athletes one tablespoon per 50 pounds of body weight per day of an oil blend with an n-3: n-6 ratio of 2:1, stamina increased by up to 40 or even 60%. Athletes could exercise longer before reaching exhaustion, recovered more quickly from fatigue, could exercise more often without over-training, healed quicker from injuries, built muscle faster, and had less joint pain. Energy improvement is also seen in non-athletes and older people. The EFA blend also improves mental stamina. Brain Function- In our work with the blended oil, we have seen consistent improvements in brain function, and research with EFAs from other sources has also shown brain benefits. Among these are elevated mood, lifted depression, increased calmness, better handling of stress, less hyperactivity, better focus, better mental processing, faster learning, increased intelligence, better concentration, and improved motor coordination. Among the mentally ill, EFAs can decrease hallucinations in schizophrenics, elevate mood, lift depression, improve symptoms in bipolar and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and improve brain function in Alzheimer's disease and autism. EFAs are also required for vision. Skin, Hair, and Nails. EFAs are required for healthy skin and hair, and are required for normal nail growth. They moisturize skin and prevent dryness. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). N-3 can decrease most CVD risk factors, including high triglycerides (blood fats), blood pressure, platelet stickiness, fibrinogen, and lipoprotein(a). N-3 also keep the inside of our arteries smooth. N-3 and n-6 keep the heart beat regular. Diabetes. EFAs are required for insulin function. N-3 make diabetics more insulin-sensitive. Weight Management. N-6 slightly and n-3 more effectively help reduce fat production in the body. They also increase fat burning and heat production in the body, and shift the body from burning glucose to burning fats. Saturated,and trans- fatty acids do not help to manage weight. Sugar triggers increased fat production in the body. Starch can also lead to overweight. Digestion. EFAs improve gut integrity, decrease gut inflammation, and decrease 'leaky gut' that can lead to allergies. Allergies. EFAs reduce symptoms of allergies. They work best if digestive enzymes rich in protein-digesting protease are also used. Inflammation. N-3 reduce inflammation. Digestive enzymes are also helpful. Autoimmune Conditions. N-3 dampen the over-response of the immune system in autoimmune conditions. Again, enzymes are also helpful. Injury. EFAs speed the healing of injuries. Bone Minerals. N-3 improve bone mineral retention, thereby inhibiting the development of osteoporosis. Stress. EFAs, by optimizing serotonin production, improve response to stress. People report feeling calmer, getting stressed less easily, dealing with stressful situations more calmly, and losing their temper less often. Sleep. EFAs improve sleep in some people. Hormones. EFAs improve hormone functions. Hormone levels may decrease, yet the effects of hormones remain normal. EFAs thereby ease the work load of glands. Organs. EFAs are required for liver and kidney function. Reproduction. EFAs are required for sperm formation, the female cycle, and pregnancy. What happens when we don't get enough good fats? The short answer is: Every part of the body gradually deteriorates and falls apart. No cell, tissue, gland, or organ can function normally without them. Here is a longer list: Constipation Low energy levels Brittle hair and hair loss Deterioration of liver and kidneys Behavioral changed due to brain deterioration Glands dry up Immune system deteriorates, resulting in more infections, poorer wound healing, and increased cancer Digestion problems, inflammation, bloating, allergies, autoimmune conditions Bone mineral loss Reproductive failure: sterility in males and miscarriage in females Retarded growth of children Tingling in arms and legs due to nerve deterioration Vision and learning problems Insulin resistance Increased risk of overweight Increased cancer risk Increased cardiovascular risk Decreased ability to cope with stress In mental illness, increased symptoms Decreased lung function Decreased tissue oxidation http://www.udoerasmus.com/FAQ.htm#1_4 _________________ JoAnn Guest mrsjo- http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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