Fatty Acid


Like everything in life, there is good and there is bad, and this applies to fats, too. Saturated fats in donuts and meat are mostly bad. They can increase cholesterol levels, increase the risk of heart disease, and contribute to a host of health problems including cancer.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) are good, polyunsaturated fats, that play a key role in many metabolic processes. They are called essential, because they are required for a balanced state of health. The body cannot synthesize them, and they must be obtained from the diet. They are important to immune function and blood pressure regulation. They are also crucial to the brain and nervous system. They were originally called Vitamin F when discovered in 1923, but in 1930 scientists realized it would be more appropriate to classify them as fats.

Good Fats

Fatty acids are extremely important nutrients, especially when you consider that 60% of the human brain is composed of fat. This is the highest concentration of fat anywhere in your body. Omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and Omega-6 (linoleic acid) are the two EFA's that are used the most. The scary thing about the typical, modern American diet is that omega-3 is the most deficient essential nutrient, while it is the most abundant fat in a healthy brain.

Essential fatty acids are necessary for proper neurological function since the extra energy in their double bond structures allow for the proper reception and transmission of nerve impulses. The typical western diet of processed and fast food leads to deficiency, and has been associated with depression and violent behavioral patterns. EFAs are also required for:
  • Proper visual functioning

  • Cellular structures

  • Metabolism functions

  • Energy production

  • Formation of prostaglandins.


    • Prostaglandins decrease pain, and regulate fluid pressure in the joints, blood vessels, and eyes. They also induce labor and abortion, create and relieve menstrual cramps, control blood clotting, regulate nerve transmission, trigger cell division, decrease inflammations, dilate blood vessels to reduce blood pressure, and regulate organ muscles. As a result, EFAs may be helpful in treating heart disease, arthritis, depression, hypertension, circulation disorders, and to prevent cancer.

    Dangerous Fats

    Trans-fats, partially hydrogenated, and hydrogenated oils used in processed foods and fast food products are one of the greatest health hazards of our age. These refined oils are toxic to both your brain and your body. They are believed to cause atherosclerosis, heart disease, and possibly even cancer. Also, children with lower levels of EFA intake and a diet high in trans-fat products have been associated with learning and behavioral disorders, including ADHD.

    EFA Sources

    Good fats are readily available in nuts (walnuts, almonds, and peanuts), fish, oils (almond, pumpkin, and sesame), avocadoes, soybeans, and olives. Olive oil is great to cook with. Popular EFA supplements include flax oil, wheat germ, and fish oils. Salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, tuna, and eel provide essential fatty acids, but care should be taken to choose fish from a clean source, as mercury pollution is a growing problem. Some practitioners recommend eating fish twice a week. Organic eggs are also a great source of healthy EFAs. There are no known interactions or side affects from taking fatty acids, but people on blood thinning medications like warfarin, coumadin, or heparin should check with their doctor prior to taking supplements.

    By Jerome Gaw           


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