| Foods containing essential fatty acids are | | | | more oils safflower, sunflower, corn and soy oils. |
| extremely important to one's health. The word | | | | We already take in too many of them. |
| essential means that not only are they necessary | | | | Alpha-linolenic acid is an omega 3 fatty acid, as |
| for our body's functioning; but that they cannot | | | | are DHA and EPA, and, therefore we should be |
| be manufactured by the body, and therefore | | | | eating more of them. One important thing to |
| must be obtained from dietary sources. | | | | understand is that the human body converts |
| There are numerous types of essential fatty | | | | alpha-linolenic acid into EPA and DHA omega 3 |
| acids and things can get confusing quickly. | | | | fatty acids for certain crucial functions. |
| In this article, we'll spell out the various types., in | | | | However, this conversion does not always happen |
| the simplest terms possible. | | | | smoothly or efficiently. For example, certain health |
| Types of essential fatty acids: | | | | conditions, getting older, or other factors can |
| 1. Linoleic acid | | | | prevent alpha-linolenic acid from being converted |
| 2. Alpha-linolenic acid | | | | properly. |
| These are essential fatty acids that are found in | | | | This is why, first and foremost, you should look |
| non-meat, non-fish sources. | | | | to eat foods containing essential fatty acids that |
| For example, linoleic acid is found in certain: | | | | have DHA and EPA directly. |
| vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds; certain oils such as | | | | Foods high in essential fatty acids with DHA and |
| safflower, sunflower, corn and soy oils. | | | | EPA are: |
| Foods high in essential fatty acids with | | | | - fatty deep water fish |
| alpha-linolenic acids are: flaxseed, walnut oil, green | | | | - organic eggs |
| leafy veggies (such as spinach), mustard seeds, | | | | - grassfed meats (most meats are grainfed, |
| pumpkin seeds, spirulina; and oils made from | | | | giving them low omega 3 DHA and EPA content). |
| linseed, rapeseed (canola oil), and soybean oil. | | | | - fish oil supplements (the best source possible |
| Now, before we discuss other foods containing | | | | because they have been purified) |
| essential fatty acids, let's cover two other | | | | Granted, if you want to get enough DHA and EPA |
| essential fatty acid types. | | | | you are going to have to be a more conscientious |
| 1. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) | | | | shopper. Many supermarkets don't carry grassfed |
| 2. EPA (eiocosapentaenoic acid). | | | | meats, but more are starting to. Local farmer's |
| Now you may be thinking, I thought you were | | | | markets and speciality shops are selling them. |
| going to make this simple. Yes, we are. Here's | | | | However, they are quite pricy, but well worth it |
| what you need to know: | | | | from a health standpoint. |
| There are two types of essential fatty acids | | | | Most supermarkets nowadays do carry the |
| you've probably heard of: omega 3 fatty acids | | | | omega 3 rich eggs, which you should definitely |
| and omega 6 fatty acids. | | | | buy if you aren't allergic to eggs. |
| To make a long story short, they are both very | | | | In the end, purified fish oil supplements are the |
| important for health but for most people who live | | | | cheapest and most concentrated source of DHA |
| in the Western world, we already take in too | | | | and EPA, and if you don't eat enough foods |
| many omega 6 fatty acids, and too little omega 3 | | | | containing essential fatty acids, then you should |
| fatty acids. So, the key for the vast majority of | | | | look to buy fish oil supplements for daily use. |
| us is to eat more foods high in omega 3 fatty | | | | Quality brands will only run you between $15 to |
| acids, and cut back on some of the ones rich in | | | | $25 dollars a month, and dollar for dollar, you'll be |
| omega 6 fatty acids. | | | | hard pressed to find a better bang for your |
| Linoleic acid is an omega 6 fatty acid. Therefore, | | | | health buck. |
| most of us should be CUTTING BACK on eating | | | | |