| Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) - FATS your body needs and uses! |
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| Antoinette Barnardo | |||
| Thursday, 13 April 2006 | |||
 I'm confident that most of you now have the necessary tools and information to get into action this year and shed your unwanted kilograms. This brings me to the topic of a word and condition we all dread, namely FAT. But, and the big butt (no pun intended!) is around the types of fats you consume. Instead of avoiding all fats, why not rather switch from Trans Fats which are hard fats like margarine which are otherwise known as partially hydrogenated vegetable oil which the body and the brain cannot use as well as Saturated Fats such as the fat you find in all animal products (dairy and meat) to those of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) which are derived from seeds (Flax or Linseeds in particular) and from fatty fish such as Salmon, Tuna, Mackerel and Sardines free of mercury poisoning in polluted rivers or dams. Trans-fatty acids and saturated animal fats cause heart disease due to excess fat deposited against the artery walls, particularly when your arteries and veins are broken or damaged which leads to a constriction of blood vessels eventually. Another cause of broken veins is a low concentration of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) in the bloodstream in which case your body will naturally try to repair that broken artery by depositing fats (the bad ones) against that artery wall and before you know it, you're either suffering from raised cholesterol levels in the blood or even worse, a heart attack or stroke from your restricted vessels! So, let's take a closer look at EFAs and their healing properties. There are two types of EFAs worth mentioning; Linolenic Acid (LA) which is an Omega 6 and Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA) which is an Omega 3. We generally get an abundance of Omega 6 oils in our diet because they are derived from plants and animals which are reared on plants, whilst Omega 3's are scarce and we need more of these in an ideal ratio of 2:1:1 but more about that later... LA fats are abundant in safflower, sunflower, corn sesame and other oils. Deficiencies of these two EFAs include symptoms ranging from eczema, hair loss, circulatory, vision and motor control problems, dry skin, miscarriage, mental deterioration, immune dysfunction, high cholesterol & heart disease, liver & kidney degeneration, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and many more. These fats are also sensitive to light, oxygen and high temperatures so always store them in dark bottles which have been vacuum-packed in your fridge and NEVER heat or fry with them, as this will alter their chemical structure making them harmful for consumption. Use them as fresh as possible. EFAs can be added to warm, cooked foods over vegetables and pastas or be used as salad dressings. I add mine to my morning smoothie which contains berries, nuts, yoghurt, ground seeds and anything else which adds to the 'yummy' factor. This is an ideal way for kids to consume EFAs since most of us don't enjoy the taste of oil. Brain development requires EFAs since half of our brain (in weight) comprises of EFAs and the ratio of Omega 3's to Omega 6's in the brain is 1:1. Without a good quality readily available source of EFAs, studies have found side-effects such as learning problems, dyslexia, hyperactivity, ADD and ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder), mental illnesses and even criminal behavior. Have you ever found yourself not being able to concentrate on any task at hand? Maybe you should look at your EFA intake or consumption. And if you're an expecting mom, remember that your EFAs are being depleted by your unborn baby so remember to take for your own use as well as for the development of your unborn baby's brain, eyes and body. The good news is that EFAs increase the metabolic rate and energy levels so you will burn more calories. Yes, it's true! You can banish the idea that all fats are bad fats. EFAs do not count as calories because they increase calorie burning. These EFAs are converted and used as fuel for your body and thus keeps you slim! They also decrease cravings which often result from not getting the correct nutrients in our bodies so EFAs will satisfy these cravings if consumed in the correct quantities. They lift our mood and improve depression which often causes people to overeat; all the more reason to take your fats! So how much do we need? An adult requires about three tablespoons of an EFA daily especially if they want relief from eczema, psoriases or any other skin conditions including dry skin. I always use the viscosity of my skin, particularly in winter to establish my oil intake. If your skin feels dry, increase your intake by a ½ to one tablespoon especially if you are exercising regularly; this will result in you sweating out a lot of your EFAs which need replacing. The ratio 2:1:1 for Omega 3, 6 and 9 is a good benchmark or guideline. That means you need twice as much Omega 3's for that of Omega 6's and Omega 9's oils. Most bottles will indicate the ratio of its contents. Lastly, look for good oil which will include some of the following ingredients: Flax seed, Sunflower seed, Sesame seed oil Coconut, Evening Primrose, GMO free Soy Lecithin, Rice Bran, Germ oils, Vitamin E, Cranberry and Pumpkin Oils.
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This is the powerful story of the author's struggle with Multiple Sclerosis and how a healer's unusual prescription of mindful altruism - to 'give away 29 gifts in 29 days' - ignited her energy, her happiness, and invited more abundance into her life.
