CELL FOOD
Are you getting enough of
Essential Fatty Acids? By Charlotte Meschede - Nutritionist
No discussion on nutrition is complete without bringing up the need for essential fatty acids. All fats, including saturated fatty acids, have important roles in the body. However, the most important fatty acids are those that the body cannot make and therefore must come from the food we eat. These essential fatty acids (EFAs) are based on linoleic acid (omega-6 group) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3 group). We need both groups of essential fatty acids to survive. For various reasons, EFA deficiency is common in the general population, as is a disproportionate intake of omega-6 fatty acids over omega-3 fatty acids. As such, it is important to eat the right foods to make sure that you’re taking in enough and the right kinds of essential fatty acids. However, there is much more to the story. Studies have shown that increasing the intake of certain essential fatty acids, either alone or in combination with other fats and compounds, can maintain a healthy body composition with improved mental and physical performance. One clear change in the diet of the population in developed countries has been the replacement of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by saturated fats and trans-fats as well as by omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as evidenced by the higher intake of fatty red meat, processed meat, 18
Sep - Oct 2021 / to order call 011-675-0477
fried food, fast foods and the excessive use of hydrogenated vegetable oils, especially in the cooking process. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential fatty acids, and the members of the omega-3 and omega-6 series are crucial for human health. In biochemical processes, there is competition between these two series. A higher dietary intake of omega-6 results in the excessive incorporation of these molecules in the cell membrane with numerous pathological consequences. Essential fatty acids play a major role in brain development and brain functioning. The omega-3 series members docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) provide fluidity to the cell membrane, facilitating certain processes including neurotransmission and ion channel flow.
