Essential Oils (Fatty Acids) for Optimum Health
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What Are Omega Fatty Acids?

Omega fatty acids are a class of fats taken in through the diet, that have highly significant effects on the person consuming them. Over the past 20 years, a massive amount of research has proven that Omega fatty acid intake in optimal ratios and amounts affects a wide range of biochemical actions. Neurological development, integrity & function of cell membranes, energy generation, immune competence and metabolising fats are just some of the activities directly affected by Omega fatty acids.

Where Do You Get These Essential Fatty Acids?

The body does not produce essential fatty acids; the only way to get them is through your diet or a supplementation program, thus making outside sources of these fats “essential.” The essential fatty acids most discussed are Omega-3 fatty acids from flax (ALA) and fish oil (EPA and DHA), and Omega-6 fatty acids from flax (LA), borage and evening primrose oil (GLA). Both Omega-3s and Omega-6s are crucial to your good health, but the proper balance of these is the key to supporting your health.

The Different Types Of Omega 3s

There are three types of Omega-3s. The two you may be most familiar with are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid) which are found primarily in oily coldwater fish such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel. Other than fresh picked seaweed, not a staple of the American diet, plant foods rarely contain EPA or DHA. By contrast, the third Omega-3, called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), is found primarily in dark green leafy vegetables, flaxseed oils, and certain vegetable oils. Although ALA has different influences than DHA and EPA, your body has enzymes that can convert ALA to EPA.

EPA, DHA, and ALA are all important to human health.

The Benefits of Essential Fatty Acids

Omega Fatty acids are critical to skin health from an underlying basis of supporting the body’s health but also many sufferers of skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema and many dry skin conditions  have a fatty acid deficit in their skin which reduces skin function, skin cell health and the ability of the skin to retain normal moisture levels. A fundamental cause of acne is the loss of linoleic acid from the skin as a result of the skin becoming sensitive to the hormone DHT. Once sensitised the skin looses fatty acids such as linoleic acid and this triggers the acne process.

Essential fatty acids have also been shown to

• Nourish active tissues, such as the brain, heart, eyes and kidneys*
• Support healthy immune function and nervous system*
• Support circulatory health and healthy metabolism*
• Support brain health and development*
• Promote healthy hormone balance*
• Promote a positive mood*

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are a form of polyunsaturated fats, the type of fats now called “good fats.” In fact, EFAs aren’t just good, they’re essential to supporting optimum health.

Getting Essential Fatty Acids

The Proper Balance Between Omega-3s and Omega-6s

Both Omega-3s and 6s are important to your health, but most people consume too much Omega-6 and not enough Omega-3. The reason for this is that most Americans and Europeans have a diet rich in Omega-6 source foods (fried foods, margarine, whole-grain bread, baked goods, and other saturated fats), and low in Omega-3 source foods like fish. Due to these eating habits, the typical diet contains as much as 20 times more Omega-6 than Omega-3! Eating a diet with significant amounts of foods rich in Omega-3s can be highly beneficial. By increasing your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids while reducing your intake of Omega-6 fatty acids, you will naturally bring the ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids back into a healthier, 2:1 or (optimally) 1:1 balance.

Omega-3 Food Source Guide

If you seek to increase your Omega-3s in your diet, here is what to look for:

• Fish: Not all fish are rich in Omega-3s. Look for salmon and cold-water fish, including halibut, tuna, sardines, herring, mackerel and anchovies.
• Plant Sources: There are several Omega-3 sources in the plant world including flaxseed, flaxseed oil, walnuts and some leafy green vegetables.

The Advantage of Omega-3 Supplementation

Eating oily fish, like salmon, tuna and mackerel, is considered to be beneficial because these fish contain EPA and DHA, the most important Omega-3 fatty acids. However, most people do not eat enough fish to truly benefit from the Omega-3 content. According to the USDA Nutrient Database, a 3-ounce serving of salmon contains less than 1.7 grams of Omega-3 fatty acids. Of greatest concern is that there is significant evidence showing that many fish are contaminated with mercury and should not be eaten regularly. The advantage of fish oil supplementation comes with the purification techniques used. ReNew Life products use molecular distillation to purify its fish oils to ensure undetectable levels of mercury, PCBs and other contaminants. Another advantage of fish oil supplementation is in cost; it is less expensive to consume a daily capsule of fish oil than it is to eat wild-caught salmon every day!

How Does The Body Break Down Oils and Fats?

The body uses a 2-step process to break down fat into usable essential fatty acids and lipids. The first step begins when oils enter the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum), where bile salts from the gall bladder are secreted. The bile salts act like detergent to break up the surface tension of the fats and split them into thousands of smaller droplets of oil. This effect is similar to the effects that detergent has on a pan filled with greasy water.

The second step takes place when the pancreas secretes the digestive enzyme lipase. Lipase breaks the smaller oil droplets into an easily absorbable form. Many people (and especially those with gall bladder insufficiency, or who have had their gall bladder removed) have difficulty digesting fats and oils because they lack the concentrated bile salts needed for efficient digestion, and, therefore they must rely on the pancreas’ ability to digest their fats. An indication of insufficient oil digestion and absorption is dry skin, hair and nails.