Tonya Lachey
NaomiMyth Busting Fat Fads 2
November 23rd 2007 03:39
Link: www.vitalenatural.com.au
I have been on holidays in rainy Auckland and so took a break from everything including this blog. I did however learn about healing after slamming my finger in the car door. Injuries aside I am back on track now so in part two of Fat Fads I want to look at good fats versus bad fats. I have written some on this topic before but would like to explore this topic more.
Today I particularly want to discuss the balance of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). The general gist, well supported by research is that essential fatty acids (called essential because you need them to survive and the body cannot produce its own source) are the most important biological fats. There are two types of EFAs, omega 3 fatty acids and omega 6 fatty acids.
EFA’s are needed for many various bodily functions including:
1. Energy production
2. Cell membrane structure and fluidity
3. Oxygen transfer from air to blood
4. Blood cell manufacture
5. Inflammation moderation
They are also essential for brain and eye development in children. Recently Catalyst on the ABC had a program on the ageing brain. The show looked at the role EFAs play in brain health and outlined that a deficiency can lead to accelerated brain shrinkage (a natural ageing process).
There are many factors that increase the demand for EFAs including alcohol and smoking, arthritis, digestive disorders, diabetes and obesity, heart disease – elevated triglycerides and cholesterol, inflammatory and immune disorders, mental disorders, skin disorders and stress.
Based on the list above it is easy to see why there is such a demand for EFAs in our diet.
Next blog on Fat Fads will look at the ratios of omega 6 to omega 3 required in our diets for optimal health and what happens if this ratio is out of balance.
Today I particularly want to discuss the balance of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). The general gist, well supported by research is that essential fatty acids (called essential because you need them to survive and the body cannot produce its own source) are the most important biological fats. There are two types of EFAs, omega 3 fatty acids and omega 6 fatty acids.
EFA’s are needed for many various bodily functions including:
1. Energy production
2. Cell membrane structure and fluidity
3. Oxygen transfer from air to blood
4. Blood cell manufacture
5. Inflammation moderation
They are also essential for brain and eye development in children. Recently Catalyst on the ABC had a program on the ageing brain. The show looked at the role EFAs play in brain health and outlined that a deficiency can lead to accelerated brain shrinkage (a natural ageing process).
There are many factors that increase the demand for EFAs including alcohol and smoking, arthritis, digestive disorders, diabetes and obesity, heart disease – elevated triglycerides and cholesterol, inflammatory and immune disorders, mental disorders, skin disorders and stress.
Based on the list above it is easy to see why there is such a demand for EFAs in our diet.
Next blog on Fat Fads will look at the ratios of omega 6 to omega 3 required in our diets for optimal health and what happens if this ratio is out of balance.
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