What are Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)? Simply put, Essential Fatty Acids are healthy fats that are an essential part of good health. Despite the differing opinions about low fat versus high fat diets, one fact remains true regardless: good fats are absolutely vital to maintaining good health. Without them, every system in your body, from your skin to your heart to your brain, would begin to die off. EFAs play an important role in cardiovascular health, brain and nervous system function and development, skin and hair health, fat metabolism and GI tract function, joint flexibility, and inflammatory response.

Sources of EFAs. Because your body is unable to make Essential Fatty Acids, they must be obtained through your diet. Foods that are rich in EFAs include certain fish, seeds, nuts, and dark leafy vegetables. The value of EFAs is now so well recognized that food-marketers have quickly begun adding them to certain foods, including chocolates and yogurt. Despite the convenience of yogurt spiked with fish oil (yum!), the healthiest food sources of EFAs remain dark leafy greens, seeds, and nuts. Besides in foods, EFAs are also available as supplements at health food stores everywhere. EFA supplements include a blend of plant, seed, and fish oils (frequently flax, borage, and fish). If you choose to get some of your EFAs in supplemental form, be sure to look for Cold-Pressed and Expeller-Pressed Oils and blends that contain a significant dose of oils per serving (at least 1000mg of EFAs per capsule). The fish oil should be Molecularly Distilled (purified) and free of heavy metals.

Who Needs EFAs? We all do! Experts agree that the standard American diet is severely lacking in Omega-3 fatty acids-dark leafy greens, cold-water fish, and certain nuts and seeds. Because of (over)consumption of meat, most Americans get enough Omega-6 fats in their diet, but they often get extremely poor quality and incomplete Omega-6 fats by consuming poor quality or improperly raised meat. Poor quality foods leave the body deficient in an important component of Omega-6 fats, GLA (Gamma Linoleic Acid).

Benefits of Essential Fatty Acids. Omega -3, -6 and -9 fatty acids are important in numerous biological functions, including:

• Supporting the normal production of prostaglandins*
• Helps support healthy blood pressure.*
• Supports healthy heart function.*
• Supports kidney health.*
• Supports digestive system.*
• Fatty acids support brain and ocular health.*
• Supports healthy skin.*
• Supports healthy cholesterol levels.*
• Supports the immune system.*