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EFAs are found in a wide range of vegetable oils and in fish oils.  If modifying your diet is too difficult and you feel that supplementation is necessary then we would recommend Hemp seed oil as the best all round single oil to take as it has the 'ideal' ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 of 3:1 (see table).

*Hempseed oil also contains approximately 1.9 to 5% GLA (Super Omega-6); the essential fatty acid also found in Evening Primrose and Borage oils.

What Do Essential Fatty Acids Do?

EFAs are involved in a multitude of metabolic pathways throughout the body.  They are integral to proper membrane function and indeed the highest concentration of Omega-3 EFAs is in the brain tissue (as in fish = brain food perhaps) where the ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 is 1:1, and many behavioural problems such as hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder as well as certain psychological problems have been shown to improve with EFA supplementation.

EFAs increase energy production by helping the body obtain more oxygen.  They increase oxygen rate, metabolic rate, energy levels and stamina.

In our cardiovascular system, cholesterol transport requires EFAs.  Omega-3 EFAs lower high triglycerides by up to 65% - better than drugs

EFAs are important precursors for a class of molecules in the body called eicosanoids.  Eicosanoids are subdivided by structure and function into prostaglandins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes.  Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances necessary for good health, continually being used up and broken down.  They act as regulators and chemical messengers and are produced locally by the cells when they are needed and are quickly broken down.  They control many essential functions, including the clotting of blood and the regulation of the immune system.  There are many different types of prostaglandins, called series 1 to 5.

• Series 1 are anti-inflammatory, relax muscles and are derived from Linoleic Acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), both Omega-6 fatty acids

• Series 2 and 4 come from Arachidonic acid (AA), an Omega-6 fatty acid found in the cell membranes of animals and are largely pro-inflammatory

• Series 3 and 5 reduce abnormal blood clotting and are anti-inflammatory and are made from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) an Omega-3 fatty acid

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This Page was last updated on : 2012-01-02