| Essential Fatty Acids are important for overall health. | | | | people cannot feel) increases the risk of diseases |
| There are 2 families of EFA’s, Omega 3 and | | | | such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity |
| Omega 6. EFA’s are fats that cannot be | | | | and many other conditions. |
| produced by the body and therefore must be obtained | | | | - Strengthen Immune system- Promote syntheses of |
| through our diet. | | | | hormones that are responsible for a healthy immune |
| Omega 3 and Omega 6 assist with many essential | | | | system. |
| bodily functions: | | | | - Shorten recovery time- Help reduce fatigue by |
| - Heart health- Improves heart rhythm, a mild blood | | | | helping nutrients pass through cell membranes. |
| thinner and slows the heart rate. | | | | - Brain development and function- Needed for proper |
| - Vascular health- Increases blood vessel flexibility. | | | | nerve transmission in the brain. |
| - Cell Regulation - Regulates many processes in the | | | | |
| cell such as oxygen use, electron transportation and | | | | As you can see EFA’s are extremely important |
| energy production. | | | | for overall health. EFA’s are also referred to as |
| - Increase Testosterone- Required for healthy tissue in | | | | Fish Oil as a majority of the food sources are obtained |
| the testes. | | | | from fish and shellfish. You can also find EFA’s in |
| - Improve insulin action- Helps to balance blood sugar | | | | small amounts in food sources such as flaxseed, hemp |
| levels. | | | | oil, soya oil, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, leafy vegetables. |
| - Increase fat burning- Many studies have shown that | | | | Widespread food processing has reduced the amount |
| test groups taking EFA’s lose more fat and retain | | | | of Omega 3’s that are available from these food |
| muscle as opposed to the placebo group. | | | | sources so it is important to supplement with EFA’s |
| - Lower cholesterol- Helps transport cholesterol in the | | | | in order to get the recommended daily amount of |
| blood stream. | | | | 1,000-3,000 mg a day. |
| - Anti inflammatory- Low grade inflammation (type | | | | |