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Viewing Lack of Essential Fats in the Diet can KillLack of Essential Fats in the Diet can Kill
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Essential fatty acids, or EFA's for short, are exactly what their name implies: an essential part of every person's diet. Unfortunately, these so-called 'good fats' are usually the ones most lacking in most people's diets. By Darrell Miller A lot of talk has been generated over the past several years about fats. Are they good? Bad? Should fats be eliminated from our diets altogether? While this was once a common notion, it is now widely understood that not all fats are created equal. There are ones to avoid (like trans-fats), and ones to embrace, like essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids, or EFA's for short, are exactly what their name implies: an essential part of every person's diet. Unfortunately, these so-called 'good fats' are usually the ones most lacking in most people's diets. Part of the problem is that EFA's cannot be constructed within the body from other components. Instead, they must be consumed directly from foods that contain them. Herein lies another problem: many foods commonly found in North American diets do not contain significant amounts of EFA's. Essential fatty acids are critical to the healthy formation of cell membranes. In fetuses, they are necessary components of brain and nervous system development. In adults, they help to maintain heart health and control hormonal levels. Without adequate intake of essential fatty acids, humans are at risk for high blood pressure, poor blood circulation and consistency, and immune system disorders. Essential fatty acids, which consist of Omega-3 and Omega-6, are found largely in fish. They are also found in plant-based sources such as flaxseed, soybeans, certain nuts, berries, and vegetables, and in leafy green vegetables like broccoli, kale and hemp. North Americans often do not take in enough of these types of foods to garner even the minimum daily requirement of EFA's. This should also be reconciled with the fact that much of the North American diet consists of processed foods. Processing strips foods of many of their natural nutrients. In other words, eating a fast-food fish sandwich is not the same as consuming a fresh trout steak. Incorporating more essential fatty acids into your diet may not be as difficult as you think. You don't need to make any radical changes. By simply adding to, or being creative with, your current diet, you can probably get all the essential fatty acids that you need. Some easy ways to do this include (but are not limited to): These are not radical changes, but are uncomplicated ways to increase your intake of those important fats. Changes in lifestyle can be difficult for some, so there are omega-3 and omega-6 supplements available as well. With time, you'll probably notice an increase in your energy level and better immunity against illness. EFA's are fats that you can feel good about eating, and the benefits will last a lifetime. About the Author: More information on essential fatty acids is available at VitaNet (R), LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com |
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