Essential Fatty Acids are known to be beneficial and are necessary for health, yet Americans are known to be deficient in them. This blend of EFAs provides nutritional support the average American needs.*
Essential fatty acids nourish the body at the very foundation of health...at the cellular level. They strengthen cell membranes to fortify against the invasion of harmful microorganisms. These nutrients also help dissolve body fat and increase metabolism and energy production. Thus, they are also very helpful in a comprehensive weight management program.*
Unicity™ offers a comprehensive essential fatty acid blend in EFA™. This powerful product provides the benefits of flax seed oil, borage oil, salmon oil, black currant oil and evening primrose oil. These ingredients are sources of both linolenic and linoleic essential fatty acids.
Flax seed oil provides omega 3 (linolenic acid), omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids. Omegas 3 and 6 benefit the cardiovascular system, as well as the immune and nervous systems. It also contains some beta carotene (approximately 4,300 IU per teaspoon) and vitamin E (approximately 15 IU per teaspoon).
Borage oil is an excellent source of gamma-linolenic acid. It also nourishes the heart. Salmon oil is high in omega-3 essential fatty acids. It helps the cardiovascular system stay in balance.
Black Currant oil is rich in linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). This substance supports the body's manufacture of hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins which help regulate functions of the circulatory system. GLA assists the body with its energy processes and is a structural component of the brain, bone marrow, muscles and cell membranes.*
Evening Primrose oil supplies both linolenic and linoleic acids.
EFA is an essential supplement, containing essential fatty acids, which are essential for life!
Research Brief
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) contribute to the healthy functioning of cell membranes, and are also critical for the synthesis of eicosanoids, a family of hormone-like substances that help in cell maintenance on a minute-to-minute basis. Just like other essential vitamins and minerals, EFAs are necessary for the maintenance of good health. Omega-3" and "Omega-6" are scientific names for two different categories - or "families" - of essential fatty acids. These names are derived from the chemical composition of the fatty acid molecules. "Omega-3" fatty acids include Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). "Omega-6" fatty acids include Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), Linoleic Acid (LA), and Arachidonic Acid (AA). The body needs a balance of each fatty acid, regardless of the "family" it belongs to. For this reason, it may be easier to think not in terms of "families" but simply about the importance of each essential fat - like vitamins, the body needs all of them for good health. EFAs control or modulate an amazing number of cellular processes. Essential fatty acids regulate a large number of mechanisms including increasing the fluidity of cell membranes and improving their "gate-keeping" abilities. These mechanisms help keep toxins out and bring nutrients into your cells. Essential fatty acids also influence the activation of cell genes, act as second messengers and produce good eicosanoids. These hormone-like compounds help reduce inflammation in the body, help keep blood from clotting, and help keep your blood vessels dilated. Furthermore, a diet rich in EFAs can be helpful in many diseases.*
FAQs
Q: Why are these fatty acids called "essential"?
A: Essential fatty acids are "essential" because they are necessary for maintaining health and since our bodies cannot make them, we must obtain an adequate supply from external sources--from food or from supplements.
Q: Don't I get enough of these fatty acids in my diet?
A: It is very difficult to get an adequate supply of healthy fats from diet alone.
Q: Will taking this supplement increase my total fat intake?
A: These are healthy fats, necessary for life. They are not used in the production of adipose tissue.
Q: Can I take this if I am on a low fat diet?
A: EFAs are recommended supplements for many diets. Taking the EFA would ensure that you are getting these necessary fats.
References
Bierenbaum ML, et al. "Reducing atherogenic risk in hyperlipemic humans with flax seed supplementation: a preliminary report." Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 12(5), pp. 501-4, 1993.
Cunnane SC, et al. "Nutritional attributes of traditional flaxseed in healthy young adults." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol. 61(1):62-68, 1995.
Zurier et al. "Gamma-linolenic acid: Metabolism and its roles in Nutrition and Medicine." pp. 129-136, 1996. |
