What are Essential Fatty Acids?

Essential fatty acids are fats your body cannot make. They come from the food we eat and were named essential fatty acids (EFA). The important ones are Omega 6 and Omega 3. The North American diet has plenty of Omega 6 but because of the shift in fats in processed foods, we are all deficient in Omega 3 fatty acids.

Let me explain. The ratio in our brains of these two fatty acids is one to one. However, because there is so much Omega 6 in our diets the ratio that we consume is 20 Omega 6 to 1 Omega 3. That is why there is a deficiency of Omega 3.

This has caused a big growth in cardiovascular disease resulting in a lot of heart attacks and strokes. Other problems not so visible are:

• Premature deliveries (deficiency of Omega 3 in the mother).
• Babies deficient in O3, suffer cognitive and visual development
• Children deprived of O3 are non-attentive, have impulsive behavior and suffer depression.
• Teens and adults without O3 are prone to hostility and violence.
• The elderly risk stroke, memory lapse and dementia.

Any age can suffer depression, the bipolar syndrome and other psychological diseases.

Hey, Fat-Head!

So where is this essential Omega 3?

Remember chlorophyll? Essential fatty acids are synthesized in the chloroplasts of plants. Green chlorophyll in plant cells converts sunlight and carbon dioxide into oxygen and complex organic molecules including sugars proteins and lipids (fats). Marine and fresh water algae produce high quantities of O3. Long chain Omega 3 comes from fish who ate the algae. A short chain O3 is found in walnuts, flaxseeds and other plants. The short chain Omega 3 or alpha linolenic acid comes from green leafy vegetables, flaxseed, Canola oil, and walnuts and is used in body organs. However, the brain requires the long chain O3 found in fish oil. Supplements may be found from algae but the fish oil is best.

We need this O3 for our brain to function. The brain has 600 grams of lipid (fat) per kilogram (dry weight) which means the brain is 60% fat.

So if you're called a fat-head, take it as a compliment. At least your brain works!

During the age of discovery (1400's), as man explored the world, the storms and the monsters of the deep didn't cause him as much death as deficiency of vitamin C - scurvy. In 1747 Dr. James Lind discovered the cure for scurvy was eating citrus, proving that an essential food can prevent or cure a disease. He published this from his findings in 1753, but it was 50 years later that limes were required on ships. Vitamin C was not isolated until 1932 by Charles Glenn King and W.H. Waugh.

Deficiency in Omega 3 fatty acids is harder to make clear -- but we shouldn't wait for 50 years to attend to it. It's just food. And the link to heart disease is established. Some studies indicate that psychiatric disorders are also linked to O3 deficiency.

Healthy Fats | Why do foods cause stress | Trans Fats vs Healthy Fats | Butter Stresses Not Thy Body | Essential Fats Lost their Balance | What are Essential Fats? | Balancing the Omega Fats | Essential Fish Advice | Fish oil 'makes you happier' | Eggsactly! | Do all you can | Bibliography