Essential Fatty Acids- by Earl Mindell

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Essential Fatty Acids- by Earl Mindell JoAnn Guest

Sep 30, 2004 11:36 PDT

 

 

 

Essential Fatty Acids, and particularly GLA (gamma-linolenic acid)

from Borage oil or Evening primrose oil, help prevent inflammatory

reactions throughout the body, and specifically in the gut.

 

GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid normally made in the body from the

essential fatty acid *linoleic* acid.

 

The best way to insure that your GLA levels stay high and in balance

with the other fatty acids is to *avoid* those things that 'deplete'

GLA.

 

The biggest offender is the trans fatty acids found

in 'hydrogenated'

oils used in margarine and nearly all " processed " foods.

These " fake " oils rob the body of GLA.

 

The second biggest offender in depleting GLA is *processed*

foods depleted of GLA.

 

Whole grains, and particularly oatmeal, as well as many nuts and

seeds, contain small amounts of GLA.

 

Taking too much alpha-linolenic acid, the omega-3 fatty acid found

in

flaxseed oil, is another way to suppress GLA production.

 

Flaxseed is something of a nutritional fad right now, but I don't

recommend you take large amounts of it long-term,

as it is a highly

unstable " unsaturated " oil that can do just as much harm as good if

it's rancid or taken in excess.

 

You can also take GLA in the form of a supplement of evening

primrose

oil or borage oil. Follow the directions on the container.

 

It's also important to get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, which are

mainly found in concentrated fish oils.

 

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) found in fish oil, regulates the

*hormones*

that control your brain and heart and 'inhibits' inflammation.

This is why we encourage you to eat cold water, deep sea fish, such

as alaskan salmon, cod, sardines (waterpacked) and flounder at least

twice a week.

 

You should be taking fifty to a hundred more EPA than GLA oils.

 

You only need 1-2 mg of GLA and 50-100 mg of EPA.

 

If you'd like a clearly written, well-researched book on

prostaglandins

and essential fatty acids,

try " Enter the Zone " by Barry Sears (Regan books, 1995)

 

Earl Mindell, Ph.D

Taken from:

" What you should know about Fiber and Digestion. "

---

 

Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2003 9:21 pm

Post subject:

Norwegian Fish Oils contain " Pre-formed " EPA

 

 

 

---

 

Ms.Shari Lieberman Ph.D.

" The Complete Vitamin and Mineral Book "

 

According to this author, fish oil is the most desirable of all for

it is already " preformed " .

Shari writes:

" In certain plants, omega-3 fatty acids are found in the form of

alpha-linolenic acid. "

 

" In the body, this fatty acid is converted into EPA, which is then

converted into DHA. "

 

" The oils of certain *fish* contain preformed EPA and DHA,

which are the " most active and desirable forms "

of the omega-3 family. "

 

It is this final conversion to prostaglandins that is responsible

for omega-3s *therapeutic* effects. "

 

Fatty acids, n-3s, serve as 'structural parts' of cell membranes,

and therefore help protect the cells from infecting toxins,

bacteria, viruses, carcinogens, and allergens.

 

Subsequent studies in Japan, Sweden, and the Netherlands confirm

that the higher the consumption of omega-3s, the lower the incidence

of heart disease.

 

Many studies have shown that EPA protects against heart disease.

 

Platelets-the blood cells that enable our blood to clot and

aggregate can adhere to artery walls, contributing to

atherosclerosis,

or hardening of the arteries.

 

By preventing this " adhesion " , EPA acts as a natural " blood

thinner, "

and thus helps to prevent atherosclerosis;

studies with GLA have yielded results similar to those achieved with

EPA.

*RDIs* -There are no established RDIs for the essential fatty acids.

---

Which Fatty Acids Should You Take?

---

The properties of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids overlap to a great

degree. Both enhance the body's own anti-inflammatory process,

acting like 'cortisone', but without the undesirable effects.

 

Both have *cardio protective* and " anti-cancer " properties.

So you might be left wondering:which one should I take?

 

The truth of the matter is that essential fatty acid supplementation

is often a case of trial and error.

As a general rule of thumb, I tend to use EPA (pre-formed fish oils)

when there is a family tendency of high cholesterol (170 or above),

high triglycerides, heart arrhythmias, or other heart diseases.

 

For those with low cholesterol, I generally use GLA.

For hormonal problems I usually try GLA first as well.

 

However, keep in mind that researchers and clinicians have observed

individual 'responses' to the different fatty acids, so you must be

willing to experiment.

" Try one type of supplement for one month, and then switch to the

other. "

 

Compare the results and then stick with whichever one is most

effective

for you.

The results are not clear-cut; you may have to use both to achieve

the

balance that is right for you.

 

In fact, some practitioners suggest giving EPA/DHA and GLA

supplements together and studies have shown that EPA and GLA used

together yielded the best results for some purposes, such as

decreasing the " inflammation " of rheumatoid arthritis.

www.spectrumnaturals.com

 

More interesting information:

" Gamma-linolenic Acid, (GLA/n-6s in EPO, Borage and Black currant)

may also prove to be an important component of weight-loss

programs. "

Preliminary data suggests that this nutrient enhances weight loss by

stimulating fat 'metabolism' and thus burning extra calories. "

 

" Animal studies suggest that both EPA and GLA may slow the progress

of the kidney disease " glomerulonephritis " , and may help patients

avoid dialysis.

 

Finally, there is evidence that these essential fatty acids may be

useful in the treatment of certain disorders of the central nervous

system. "

 

There are reports that both EPA and GLA affect schizophrenia.

Furthermore, EPA may help in cases of manic-depressive illness, and

GLA in cases of hyperactivity in children. "

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes