Essential Fatty Acids

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to add another form of EFAs--black currant oil. I have

had some problems digesting the algae products and was thrilled to

learn of this one. Here is more info (I could not figure out how to

paste the link--sorry!).

 

Jen

 

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Black Currants A Source of Essential Fatty Acids

 

Published December 2006

Dear Pharmacist . . .

 

 

 

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I have heard that fish oil is good for heart health, but when I eat

fish, my throat starts to close and I'm certain that I'm allergic to

seafood. Will fish oil supplements create this allergic reaction as

well? What do you suggest?

--MC Boca Raton, Florida--

 

If your reaction is that severe, then avoid supplementation with fish

oils. You are right though, the essential fatty acids found in fish

oils are good for the heart, and that's what most people have heard

about. But EFAs are good for many conditions, so I take a supplement

every day.

 

 

There is research to support the ability of EFAs to boost mood,

improve cholesterol ratios, protect our brain and memory, relieve

joint pain, improve digestion, ease constipation, fight infections

and smooth out wrinkles. See why I like EFA supplements so much?

 

 

If you'd like to take EFAs but you are allergic to fish or don't want

to use an animal-derived product, then consider black currant oil as

an option. Black currants contain a lot of linoleic acid and gamma

linoleic acid, two powerful anti-inflammatory substances when taken

in normal dosages. It doesn't provide the same exact type of

essential fatty acids as fish oils, but it offer a person a way of

getting powerful essential fatty acids without the fish source! Don't

overdo anything, though — not even good stuff.

 

 

Black currants are little fruits that provide EFAs that are

particularly helpful in reducing inflammation, especially in gals.

What comes to mind here is all that breast tenderness that women get

right before their period, and other PMS problems in general. Taking

even one gelcap a day of this supplement (1,000 mg) can make a

considerable difference in your overall health. Black currant

products are also found as jams and teas. Since they're fruit- rather

than fish-derived, you can make tastier things out of them.

 

 

While we're on the subject of PMS, you could add vitamin B6 (about 50

mg daily), magnesium (about 100 mg daily) and vitamin E (about 400 mg

daily) and really see some terrific cramp-reducing and mood-boosting

benefits.

 

 

But back to black currants. They have as many powerful antioxidants

as blueberries, maybe more. They also have more vitamin C than

oranges, plus they contain anthocyanins — the plant pigment that

provides anti-cancer protection because it fights free radicals.

 

 

So just because you can't take fish oils doesn't mean that you can't

get a good source of EFAs. You can also look at other oils, such as

evening primrose oil and borage oil. I like EFAs that are produced

from quality companies, and there are many. A few that come to mind

are Nordic Naturals, Solaray, Vitamin Shoppe, Health from the Sun and

CurrantC (that last one is sold online at www.currants.com, or call

800-287-7268).

 

--Suzy--