How Important Are Fatty Acids To The Overall Health Of The Human Body?

Essential fatty acids are such an important topic These fatty acids are the "good fats," all over the news these days, and a very hot research topic. More is known about them every week as more studies come advance.

It is important to lessen the intake of trans fats and cholesterol (animal fat) while consuming sufficient good fats. One of the jobs of this high-density lipoprotein (hdl) or "good cholesterol" is to capture your bad cholesterol, ldl (low density lipoprotein), and guide it to the liver where it is broken down and excreted. In other words, these good fats attack some of the harm already done by the bad fats. This is very important in an age when so many Americans are under pressure to get their cholesterol down, and fight heart disease and obesity.

Essential fatty acids are principally used to produce hormone-like substances that regulate a wide range of functions, including blood pressure, blood clotting, blood lipid levels, the Immune response, and the inflammation reaction to injury infection. Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids and are the parent compounds of the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid series, respectively.

They are vital in the human diet because there is no synthetic mechanism for them. Humans can without difficulty make saturated fatty acids or monounsaturated fatty acids with a double bond at the omega-9 position, but do not have the enzymes needed to introduce a double bond at the omega-3 position or omega-6 position. The essential fatty acids are important in several human body systems, including the immune system and in blood pressure regulation. The brain has bigger amounts of inoleic and alpha-linolenic acid derivatives. Changes in the levels and balance of these fatty acids due to a classic western diet rich in omega-6 and poor in omega-3 fatty acids is alleged.

Essential fatty acids are required to retain healthy lipid levels in the blood. Another important function is controlling inflammation in cases of infection or injury. While we tend to think of all forms of fats as bad or unhealthy, it is important to recognize that certain fats, namely fatty acids, are essential for optimum health.

Essential fatty acids are indispensable because they provide the building blocks for numerous 'eicosanoids'. Many of these hormone-like chemicals are also called prostaglandins. Those not having essential fatty acids are notably more likely to be hyperactive, have learning disorders, and to present behavioral problems. " Omega-3 deficiencies have also been coupled to dyslexia," violence, depression, memory problems, weight gain, cancer, heart disease, eczema, allergies, inflammatory diseases, arthritis, diabetes, and countless other conditions. " over 2,000 scientific studies have confirmed the wide range of problems associated with omega-3 deficiencies.

"The American diet is almost devoid of omega 3's except for certain types of fish. " in fact, researchers believe that about 60% of Americans are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, and about 20% have so little that test methods cannot even detect. ," just as your muscles are made of protein and your bones are made of calcium.

Signs of Fatty Acid Imbalance

Dry skin, dandruff, frequent urination, irritability, Attention Deficit Disorder, soft nails, alligator skin, allergies, lowered immunity, weakness, fatigue, dry, unmanageable hair, excessive thirst, brittle, easily frayed nails, hyperactivity
"chicken skin" on backs of arms, dry eyes, learning problems, poor wound healing, frequent infections, patches of pale skin on cheeks, and cracked skin on heels or fingertips are all signs of fatty acid imbalance.