Essential fatty acids are a critical element in maintaining your health and wellbeing. Essential fatty acids are fatty acids that your body cannot manufacture on its own, which means you have to acquire them by other means. The essential fatty acids that must be consumed from external sources are linoleic acid (omega-6), linolenic acid (omega-3), and arachidonic acid (a combination of linoleic and linolenic acids). There are various forms of omega-3 fatty acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid, which are precursors to the formation of other key omega-3 fatty acids.

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Essential Fatty Acid Benefits:
*Supports cardiovascular health
*Maintains bone & joint structure
*Supports memory & brain function
*Essential for nerve transmission

Essential Fatty Acids & Cell Membranes
The health and formation of cell membranes is one major function of essential fatty acids. By helping to determine the fluidity and chemical activity of cell membranes, essential fatty acids perform central functions in the maintenance of cell membranes. Essential fatty acids also build materials for the membranes that surround each cell, cell nucleus, and cell mitochondria – the energy-producing organelles inside cells. They are also responsible for the raw materials for each cell and tissue that make up the local hormones that control tissue functions, specifically prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes.

Essential Fatty Acids & Bodily Functions
One of the most important nutrients for a healthily functioning body, essential fatty acids are involved in the cardiovascular system, immune system, and the maintenance of the musculoskeletal system. The regulation of oxygen use, electron transportation, and energy production are also part of the role of essential fatty acids in the human body. Not to be outdone by any group of nutrients, essential fatty acids also help transport cholesterol through the blood by generating electrical currents that maintain a regular heart rate.

Essential Fatty Acids & Body Structure
A main responsibility of essential fatty acids is the promotion of proper bone formation and repair. These critical nutrients are also central to maintaining effective movement of joints. By supporting the manufacturing of joint and tendon lubricants, essential fatty acids help ensure that wear and tear is limited. They are also required for proper functioning of the brain, retina, adrenal glands, and testes. Essential fatty acids are also important for transmissions between nerves, particularly transmissions related to memory and concentration.

Omega-3 & Omega-6
Our bodies need about twice as much omega-3 than omega-6 fatty acids. However, the average western diet includes minimal amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, as modern food processing tends to destroy most essential fatty acids. When there is an imbalance in our diet between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, some bodily functions can have trouble functioning properly. Omega-6 fatty acids are easy to get enough of in our diets, as they are contained in most plant foods, as well as in almost all vegetable oils.

Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA)
The best sources of ALA include flaxseed, flaxseed oil, hemp seed oil, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, walnuts, and dark green leafy veggies. When your body gets enough linoleic acid and ALA, it can usually produce the other omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids it requires, such as eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA). EPA is necessary for prostaglandins and DHA is a necessary nutrient for the brain, nervous system, and vision. Vegetarians sometimes have a problem with eating only minimal plant sources of ALA, resulting in fatty acids being used as energy and little being turned into EPA and DHA.

Essential Fatty Acid Conversion
A number of things can interfere with the conversion of linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) into their derivatives. Issues that interfere with the conversion of omega-6 and ALA include trans-fatty acids (trans fat), like those found in margarine, shortening, commercially baked goods, processed foods, and foods made with partially hydrogenated oils; too much sugar and alcohol; nutrient deficiencies, viral infections, diabetes, genetic anomalies, including deficiencies in certain enzymes, and aging.

Essential Fatty Acid Supplements
Because some of the things that interfere with essential fatty acid conversion are not solved simply by changing your diet, many people can benefit from using essential fatty acid supplements, especially omega-3 fatty acid supplements. These types of supplements are useful for treating over 60 different health conditions, including cardiovascular conditions, arthritis, and auto-immune diseases.

Omega-3 fish oil supplements can play a key role in preventing and treating heart disease. Diets rich in fish oils tend to result in lower blood pressure, lower levels of bad cholesterol, and fewer triglycerides. Additionally, they can help increase good cholesterol (HDL). Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) supplements can effectively treat inflammatory diseases including asthma, arthritis, allergies, dermatitis, and eczema. Additionally, it can help reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms including breast pain, bloating, depression, and irritation. Docosahexaenoic (DHA) is especially useful for pregnant and nursing mothers, because babies are reliant on their mothers to get the DHA they need.