What's so important about essential fatty acids?

The term EFA stands for essential fatty acids. What makes them so important? Firstly, the word essential means they are vital to our health. Secondly, they cannot be produced by the body and therefore must be obtained directly from our diet. We need fats, but we need to consume the right kinds!

There are 2 main types of essential fatty acids: Omega 3’s (O3) and Omega 6’s (O6). O3’s help to block allergies, and are potent anti-inflammatories. Some sources include sardines, flax, hemp, walnut, pumpkin, black currant oil, salmon, mackerel and anchovy. O6’s also block allergies and are anti-inflammatory. Sources containing them include sunflower, safflower, sesame, hemp, soy bean, evening primrose oil and borage oil. However, consuming too many O6’s causes the body to convert them to another fatty acid -> Omega 9’s (O9). O9’s are not essential, and in excess, promote allergy and are pro-inflammatory. Sources of O9’s include meat, dairy, olive, peanut and almond. Some of these are also known as saturated fats.

What functions do EFAs have? Several functions include: energy production, oxygen utilization, hemoglobin production, growth, fatigue recovery, brain development and skin health. In addition, O3’s can help reduce inflammation, blood pressure, cholesterol, water retention, blood platelet stickiness, and improve immune function.

Currently in today’s society, we consume too many O9’s and O6’s and not enough O3’s. In fact, about at least 60% of us are deficient in essential nutrients.

So how much do we need to consume? Our ‘essential’ fat requirements should be approximately 25% of our total daily dietary intake. Ideally, our ratio of O3’s to O6’s should be close to 1:1. These amounts can vary according to one’s health, stress, age, activity level, etc.

How do you know if you’re deficient? Some symptoms of O3 deficiency include, weakness, dry skin, high blood pressure, tingling sensations in arms and legs, impaired learning ability, mental deterioration. Symptoms of O6 deficiency may include: eczema, hair loss, heart and circulatory problems, poor wound healing and arthritis-like symptoms.

What affects EFAs? Heat, oxygen and light destroy EFAs making them rancid. In addition, these items help promote the production of free radicals. When purchasing EFAs, store them in the freezer prior to use. Once opened, you can keep them in the fridge for up to 6 weeks. Buy organic, cold pressed and unrefined oils and look for them in dark bottles in the refrigerated section. Avoid all hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils/fats as they become trans-fats, which are more damaging than saturated fats to the body. In fact they are only one molecule away from plastic.

Allergy swollen eyes treatment | allergy swollen eyes remedy |

Caused by many factors, but actually swollen eyes caused by water retention in the eye area during a period of rest or sleep. Other causes of puffy eyes are general seasonal allergies, high blood pressure, or dermatitis triggered by a reaction to makeup, contact lenses or lens solution or by transferring another allergen from your hands to your eyes. In this condition, you need the doctor treatment for the prescription, and you need the remedies to help you reduce the allergy. Your body needs rest and plenty of it, at least 6-8 hours a night, more or less depending on your age and needs, your body will let you know. Sleep will allow your body time to rest and perform, the scheduled maintenance. When you deprive your body of sleep it shows, with swollen eyes and even sickness.

Allergy swollen eyes need the remedies that effective to help your eyes get the better condition. You can try cutting two slices of potatoes, or cucumber, place them in the freezer for a few minutes to chill and then place them on the eyes. Another great remedy is to get an eye mask that is full of gel and chill it. Place the mask on your face and relax for awhile. Yet anther wonderful remedy is tea bags. Wet the tea bags, squeeze the tea bags until there is no excess liquid, and cover each eye, sit or lie back and let the tea bags do their magic. caused by many factors, but actually swollen eyes caused by water retention in the eye area during a period of rest or sleep. Other causes of puffy eyes are general seasonal allergies, high blood pressure, or dermatitis triggered by a reaction to makeup, contact lenses or lens solution or by transferring another allergen from your hands to your eyes. In this condition, you need the doctor treatment for the prescription, and you need the remedies to help you reduce the allergy. Your body needs rest and plenty of it, at least 6-8 hours a night, more or less depending on your age and needs, your body will let you know. Sleep will allow your body time to rest and perform, the scheduled maintenance. When you deprive your body of sleep it shows, with swollen eyes and even sickness.