Description
ESSENTIAL
FATTY ACIDS (OMEGA 3 AND OMEGA 6 COMPOUNDS)
The
word "essential" in describing these means
that the body cannot produce them so they must be consumed
in our diet. Essential fatty acids are either Omega-3
oils or Omega-6 oils. Sources of Omega-3 are cod liver
oil, fish oils, flax oil, flaxseed or leafy green vegetables.
Some nuts also contain Omega-3's (walnuts). Omega-6
sources are corn oil, wheat germ oil, soy oil, borage
oil, evening primrose oil, blackcurrent oil plus many
of the other grocery store bought cooking oils. Almost
all processed foods are very high in Omega-6's. Essential
fatty acids play critical roles in body structure and
function, in fact life cannot be sustained without them.
Some are transformed to regulating compounds called
prostaglandins in the body and these prostaglandins
along with essential fatty acids are responsible for
supporting the critical body functions listed below:
-
Nerve transmission
-
Pressure
regulation in the eye, joints and blood vessels
-
Division
of cells (growth and healing processes)
-
Response
to pain, swelling and inflammation
-
Muscle
reflexes
-
Transporting
of oxygen from cells to tissues
-
Maintaining
health of cell membranes
-
Supporting
immune response
-
Providing
energy to the heart muscle
Essential
fatty acids are often called by their chemical names.
Omega-3 compounds are:
-
linoleic acid
-
gamma-linoleic
acid
-
gamma-linolenic
acid
-
arachidonic
acid
THE
BALANCE OF OMEGA-3 and OMEGA-6 ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
The
latest scientific research has supported the view that
essential fatty acids need to be in equillibrium in
our diet. Omega-3 and Omega-6 consumption should be
balanced. It is generally recommended that Omega-6 consumption
should be about 4 times as much as Omega-3. In addition,
it is recommended by the medical community that saturated
fat consumption should be limited. Saturated fats are
found in butter, margarine and lard. All Omega-3 and
Omega-6 essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated.
Unfortunately,
our normal diets do not achieve those recommended balances.
Most North American and Western diets are very low in
Omega-3 and extremely high in Omega-6. Too many saturated
fats are consumed and the ratio of ingested EFA's averages
more like 20:1 Omega-6's to Omega-3's instead of the
recommended 4:1. This is due to the fact that poor quality
cooking oils and most processed foods contain Omega-6
oils. In addition, the overall consumption of Omega-3
rich foods is often very low. Omega-3 containing foods
are fish, fish oils, flax, flax-fed chicken eggs, wheat
germ, soybeans, green leafy vegetables and certain nuts
(walnuts and butternuts). Getting compliance with fish
oil Omega-3 type products is extremely difficult especially
in children. In some individuals, Omega-3 consumption
is totally lacking.
Kirkman
offers many different choices for essential fatty acid
supplementation, from stabilized flaxseed to a variety
of fish oil products. Cod Liver Oil is also a souce
of Omega 3's, so also see that section in this catalog
as well. A description of Kirkman's essential fatty
acid supplements follows.
PRO-EFA
OMEGA-3/6/9 and BORAGE OIL SUPPLEMENT CAPSULE
Kirkman
Laboratories is now an official distributor for Pro-EFA,
an essential fatty acid dietary supplement manufactured
by Nordic Naturals™. Pro-EFA is a revolutionary product
in that it uses only the highest quality fish oil and
borage oil available in the world. This oil is produced
using flash distillation and molecular distillation ensuring
the highest quality Omega 3 oils while eliminating PCBs
and heavy metal contaminants. The oil is then deodorized
which also improves the taste dramatically.
For
decades, fish oil has been recognized as a great way of
supplementing Omega-3 fatty acids to the diet. Many fish
oil supplements are available, but the quality of Nordic
Naturals™ ensures the highest quality oils with no contaminants.
Borage oil is included as a source of GLA (gamma-linolenic
acid). GLA is beneficial for skin moisture and may have
a calming effect. Oleic Acid is included as an omega-9
source. The product also contains natural lemon oil which
covers up the fish smell and helps avoid fishy burps.
Pro-EFA
is an advanced essential fatty acid formula that delivers
148 mg. EPA, 99 mg. DHA, and 40 mg. of GLA from 180 mg.
of borage oil.
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