Essential Fatty Acids

Fatty acids are an important part of a balanced diet. Fats enable the body to efficiently store energy, aid in tissue flexibility and resilience, and form a portion of the membranes that surround cells. Our bodies can synthesize a number of fatty acids from other forms of energy, like carbohydrates, but our bodies cannot manufacture some important fatty acids. These are known as essential fatty acids, and they must be consumed through dietary sources.

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Benefits:
*Substantial benefits for overall health and wellbeing
*Supports cardiovascular, liver, and kidney functions
*Stimulates and regulates mental and immune capacity
*Maintains, regenerates, and repairs cells

Alpha-linolenic acid is a type of omega-3 essential fatty acid. Alpha-linolenic acid is important for a number of bodily functions, such as cardiovascular health, controlling asthma, helping to alleviate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and even potentially decreasing the risk of breast cancer. Alpha-linolenic acid is commonly found in flax and fish oils, but is most easily accessible as a supplement. Deficiency in alpha-linolenic acid has been shown to play a role in nearly all degenerative diseases like heart disease and cancer, arthritis, skin conditions, diabetic neuropathy, immune function, and premenstrual syndrome.

Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid that is also known as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). CLA is classified as an omega-6 essential fatty acid and can be found in many vegetable oils. CLA provides the body a number of benefits such as fighting cancer, reducing blood cholesterol and boosting the immune system. CLA is a source of energy that is eventually converted to other substances in the body, including prostaglandins. Prostaglandins help to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of blood clots. Prostaglandins also stimulate the immune system, regulate brain functions, and help prevent arthritis. Some research has also suggested that an imbalance in CLA may lead to a variety of mental disorders, including hyperactivity, depression, brain allergies, and schizophrenia.

Lauric acid is an essential type of saturated fatty acid found in human and cow’s milk, and coconut and palm oils. Lauric acid has anti-microbial properties that can help the body fight off bacterial infections. Lauric acid is able to combat the species of bacteria responsible for acne. Acne treatment with lauric acid can be a practical alternative to other acne treatments that can be damaging to the skin, such as benzoyl peroxide.

Palmitoleic acid is an essential fatty acid that is found in many dairy products and has been linked to a decreased risk of various diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. Palmitoleic acid can also help the body maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels, proper insulin sensitivity and normal levels of inflammation.

Evening primrose oil is the richest source of gamma-linoleic acid and a significant source of linoleic acid, containing approximately 72% linoleic acid and 9% gamma-linoleic acid. Due to the gamma-linoleic acid it contains, evening primrose oil is recognized to be significantly beneficial for those that have trouble acquiring a necessary amount of gamma-linoleic acid. Individuals who have consumed excessive amounts of alcohol, have low thyroid function, and who receive radiation treatments often have difficulty getting an adequate supply of essential fatty acids. Digesting gamma-linoleic acid from a direct source like evening primrose oil can significantly help the body maintain, recover and repair for optimal health.

Evening primrose oil is also recognized as a substantial source of relief for pain associated with arthritis, controlling diabetes and damage inflicted to the liver and kidney from alcohol abuse, and also has positive results in terms of depression, multiple sclerosis, skin repair, and PMS symptoms.