Vitamin F (CT–428)
Essential Fatty Acids
Fat is a subject of much research and discussion in the field of nutrition. Mostly, the term conjures up negative thoughts in peoples’ minds. “Stay away from fats if you wish to avoid the major killers and remain healthy,” we are told. While this may be true of certain fats, avoiding the essential fatty acids, is dangerous. This is because these fats cannot be produced in the body and are required for the maintenance of the basic processes of existence. Without them, a variety of illnesses develop. The essential fatty acids are required for the synthesis of the cells of every organ in the body. In addition, hormone, protein, prostaglandin, and neuro- transmitter synthesis are dependent upon essential fatty acids. A list of the ailments which have been associated with essential fatty acid deficiency includes:
A little-known fact is that when the weight of water is removed, the brain consists primarily of fat. It possesses a dramatic need for essential fatty acids in order to function normally. What’s more, whenever tissues within the brain, spinal cord, or the peripheral nerves are damaged, the need of the nervous system for essential fatty acids multiplies exponentially. In fact, the need is so great that the body will essentially “steal” such fatty acids from other tissues in order to maintain the nervous system’s requirements.
The saying that a person’s brain is “shriveled up” may be literally true in the case of certain degenerative diseases of this organ, many of which are caused by a prolonged deficiency of essential fatty acids. The fatty acids are involved in moisture retention within the brain cells, and in the event of a deficiency a measurable reduction in the weight of the brain occurs. This is particularly dangerous in infants and children, who are highly susceptible to the deficiency.
Naturally occurring fats which are required for nervous system function include linoleic acid, linolenic acid, lecithin, EPA/DHA (abbreviations for fish oils), and cholesterol. Mental symptoms which may arise in the event of severe essential fatty acid deficiency include:
Essential fatty acids occur in tiny amounts in a variety of foods. The richest sources are nuts, seeds, and certain grains, notably fresh whole wheat, barley, oats, corn and rice. Soybeans are also an excellent source. However, the top food source is flax seed, which contains a high percentage of linolenic acid. This latter oil is difficult to procure in the American diet, which contains an excess of linoleic acid. Crude pumpkinseed oil (i.e. Pumpklinol) is another superb source. Highly digestible, it is particularly effective for the reversal of the deficiency. Other excellent sources of essential fatty acids include the oils extracted from the seeds of primrose, hemp, caraway, black current, and borage plants. Walnut oil is also rich.
Food oils, such as those found in supermarkets, are traditionally regarded as top dietary sources of essential fatty acids. However, this is true only of those oils processed by cold-pressing methods. Commercial oils contain such a large number of contaminants and are so heavily processed that they can no longer be regarded as optimal sources.
As mentioned previously regarding edible seeds pumpkin seeds are an exceptional source of fatty acids. Plus, the seed is a top source of vitamin E. Crude stabilized pumpkinseed oil (i.e. Pumpkinol) is a highly digestible source of essential fatty oils. Pumpkinol is highly digestible. Pumkinseed oil is highly vulnerable to oxidation, especially after opening. Thus, the stabilized variety is ideal. Pumkinol is stabilized with potent natural antioxidants. It is the tasty, nutritious way to correct essential fatty acid deficiency.
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS TEST (each response is worth 1 point)
Which of these apply to you?
1. dry, flaky skin
2. dryness or cracks behind the ears
3. brittle hair and/or fingernails
4. acne
5. enlarged facial pores
6. growth impairment
7. dry or oily hair
8. eczema/psoriasis/dermatitis
9. chronic diarrhea
10. alopecia (patchy hair loss)
11. nosebleeds
12. bleeding gums
13. easy bruising
14. dry patches of scaly skin on the face and/or nose
15. patches of hair which are unmanageable (stick up on end)
16. split ends
17. poor or delayed recovery from injuries
18. intolerance to or slow recovery from exercise
19. delayed wound healing
20. tingling in the arms and legs
21. lips which are constantly chapped
22. attention deficit disorder (poor attention span)
23. asthma
24. loss of appetite
25. gritty feeling in or dryness of the eyes
26. irritability and/or nervousness
27. PMS (especially painful menstrual cramps, bloating, and/or sore breasts
28. sensation of dryness of the mouth and throat, especially when
Speaking
44. Are you a diabetic?
45. Are you a tobacco smoker?
46. Do you have a history of prostate problems?
47. Do you take cortisone or prednisone on a daily or weekly basis?
48. Do you regularly use cortisone creams?
49. Do you have a history of infertility or impotence?
50. Do you follow a very low fat diet?
51. Do you take cholesterol-lowering medicines?
______________________________________________________________
3 or more checks = mild essential fatty acid deficiency
Your Score ______ 6 or more checks = sub-clinical essential fatty acid deficiency
___10 or more checks = severe essential fatty acid deficiency____
Decosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
FACTS
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably spent the last decade counting your fat grams because of studies that linked a high-fat diet to an increased risk of heart disease and cancer. But in your zeal to eat right, you may have eliminated some good fats in the process, notably decosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential fatty acid that cannot be manufactured by the body. DHA is found in foods that many people have given up in the name of good health, such as organ meats (which are high in both saturated fat and toxins) and eggs (which the medical establishment incorrectly claimed to be too high in cholesterol for people with lipid problems). It is also abundant in fatty fish, like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and albacore tuna; however, most Americans do not eat significant quantities of fish. Why do we need DHA? DHA is found in high concentration in the gray matter of the brain and the retina of the eye. It is also instrumental in the function of brain cell membranes, which are important for the transmission of brain signals.
Essential for normal brain and eye development, DHA is passed from the mother to the fetus via the placenta. After birth, the primary source of DHA is breast milk. Over the past 50 years, the consumption of DHA has significantly declined, and this has many scientists worried. According to an article published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dr. Joseph R. Hibbeln and Dr. Normal Salem of the National Institutes of Health linked the increase in depression in North America over the past century to a steady decline in DHA consumption. The authors noted that in countries where DHA consumption has remained high, depression is not as common. Low levels of DHA have also been associated with an increase in dementia, mood changes, memory loss, and visual problems. In fact, in a Swedish study, elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease were found to have lower blood levels of DHA than healthy older people. Another Japanese study showed a 65 percent improvement in dementia symptoms among patients given DHA supplements.
Scientists are also concerned about the decline of DHA in breast milk, and they fear that it may interfere with normal mental development in children. In Europe, DHA is added to infant formulas. Although there is no direct evidence that links DHA to mental or behavior problems in children, at least one study performed at Purdue University found that boys diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder had lower levels of essential fatty acids, such as DHA, in their blood than children who did not have this problem. In addition, some scientists speculate that the deficiency in DHA may be a contributing factor in postpartum depression in new mother.
Possible Benefits
May prevent depression.
Can reduce symptoms of dementia.
Promotes normal brain development in children.
Enhances vision.
The Right Amount
Take one or two capsules after means, three times a day.
Personal Advice
If you are a nursing mother, check with your physician or natural Abunda Life healing practitioner about taking DHA. It may be just what you and your baby need to be happier and healthier!