Health Benefits of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
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What Are Essential Fatty Acids?

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are polyunsaturated fats that are necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Like vitamins and minerals, EFAs are essential nutrients that we must get from foods or dietary supplements. There are two families of essential fatty acids, the Omega-3 family and the Omega-6 family. Since these fatty acids are not interchangeable in the body, both must be supplied in the diet.

Why Are EFAs Important?

EFAs are important components of cell membranes where they maintain proper fluidity and flexibility. They are also the building blocks for prostaglandins - chemical messengers that regulate cardiovascular function, brain and nervous system functions, fat metabolism, skin health, joint flexibility, and inflammatory response.

Who Can Benefit From EFA Supplementation?

Everyone! Experts agree the typical western diet is deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids. Most people do not eat enough food rich in Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids like fish, walnuts or dark green leafy vegetables. On the Omega-6 side, most people get enough Omega-6 Linoleic Acid but they fall short with Omega-6 Gamma-Linoleic Acid (GLA) because it is rarely found in foods. Instead, the body must rely on its ability to make GLA from dietary Linoleic Acid. Unfortunately, stress, a poor diet, alcohol, advanced age, and disease all interfere with the ability to make GLA.