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About Fish Oils
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What
are Essential Fatty Acids and why are they important?
Essential fatty acids are well named because these polyunsaturated fats
are essential for virtually every function of the human body. There are
two fatty acids that are considered essential fatty acids in humans. Unfortunately,
essential fats are ones that can not be made by the body and must be obtained
through the diet. The names of the two essential fatty acids are alpha-linolenic
acid and linoleic acid, also known as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Dietary sources of these fatty acids include: cold water fish, flaxseed,
walnuts, and canola oils. While omega-6 fats are abundant in many common
foods, the typical American diet unfortunately does not come close to
meeting our needs when it comes to omega-3 fats.
Cell
membrane flexibility is important for many cellular functions such as,
transportation of nutrients and waste products, cell-to-cell communication,
insulation, and structure. Cell membranes are made from fatty acids, and
in order to be flexible, they must be made from flexible fatty acids.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are the most flexible of the fatty acids,
making them crucial for the formation of healthy cell membranes.
Cell membrane flexibility is important to our health for many reasons.
Aside from being important for the health of our skin, hair, and nails,
unhealthy cell membranes can also result in hormonal imbalances and cellular
damage. Deficits in essential fatty acids can lead to the
formation of inflexible and unhealthy cell membranes.
Signs of fatty acid deficits:
• Cracking finger tips--often worse in the winter.
• Patchy dull skin.
• Combination skin--mixed oily and dry areas.
• Hyperkeratosis follicularis--small, rough bumps on the back of
the arms.
• Dry, brittle, unmanageable hair.
• Dandruff, hair loss, seborrhea, cradle cap.
• Soft or brittle fingernails.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids also play a pivotal role in the synthesis
of all of our prostanoid hormones. This group of hormones has many important
functions including: regulating platelets, blood clotting, improving blood
flow and regulating blood pressure. Prostanoid hormones are also the key
vehicles for cell-to-cell communication. These hormones are manufactured
daily by nearly every cell in the body, making the presence of adequate
amounts of essential fatty acids crucial for maintaining optimal health.
How does Omega 3 Fatty Acids Double Strength Formula fit in to the picture?
Essential fatty acids obtained from fish oil sources are particularly
beneficial because they are already converted into their active forms.
The active forms of alpha-linolenic acid are EPA and DHA. By taking fatty
acids in these forms, the body is not burdened with the complex process
of converting the fatty acids into their active products, eliminating
the possibility of improper conversion due to vitamin, mineral,
or enzyme deficits which can impair this process.
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils have been shown to have
protective effects in supporting
the heart beating at a regular and steady pace.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Double Strength Formula is an excellent source of
active omega-3 fatty acids, supplying you with 300 mg of EPA and 200 mg
of DHA in every capsule, compared to other products which typically provide
only 180 mg of EPA and 150 mg of DHA. Its encapsulated form makes it a
quick and easy way to supplement the diet and to move toward achieving
optimal health.
The
information presented on this Web site is not meant to be used in place
of more specific personal advice from a healthcare professional. In addition,
please note that this information has been simplified and summarized for
ease of understanding.
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