Breaking Down Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids (EFAs), often referred to as good fats, are fatty acids that cannot be constructed within the body naturally from other components by any known chemical pathways, and therefore must be obtained from the diet. EFAs refers to fatty acids involved in biological processes, and not just those that may play a role as fuel. As many of the compounds created from essential fatty acids can be ingested directly in the diet, it is possible that the amounts required may be overestimated. It is also possible they can be underestimated as organisms can still survive in non-ideal, malnourished conditions.

There are twenty different needed fatty acids in your body, but they all stem from two: linoleic acid and linolenic acid. These two fatty acids are essential. You must get them from the foods you eat because your body cannot produce them naturally. Thus, essential fatty acids are the building blocks for all the other fats in your body.

There are two families of EFAs, omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Fats from both of these families are essential for the body and a healthy lifestyle, as the body can convert one omega-3 to another omega-3, but cannot create an omega-3 from omega-6 or saturated fats or vice versa. Essential fatty acids were originally designated as Vitamin F when they were discovered as essential nutrients in the early 20s. But they were later shown to be better classified as fats rather than a vitamin.

EFAs support a number of fundamental systems in the body includeing the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and nervous systems. We need EFAs to manufacture and repair cell membranes, which enables the cells to obtain the appropriate nutrition and detract harmful waste products. Another function of EFAs is the production of organisms to regulate bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood clotting, fertility, and conception. They’ve also been shown to play a role in immune function by regulating inflammation and aiding in the fight against infection.

Your brain is actually 60 percent fat - and DHA (an Omega-3 essential fatty acid) is the most abundant fat in your brain. It also happens to be the most abundant fat in breast milk, since babies need it to nourish brain and eye development. This Omega-3 fat is important mostly for connecting brain cells to each other and ensuring the transmission of brain signals get through correctly. It is also found in high concentration in the retina of the eye.

Essential fatty acids are needed for proper growth in children, particularly for neural development and maturation of sensory systems. Male children generally need higher amounts of EFAs than do young females; however, it is imperative for both sexes. Fetuses and breast-fed infants also require an adequate supply of EFAs through the mother's dietary intake.

The benefits of essential fatty acids have been recently found to be so universal that there are documented recommended daily allowances now being observed for both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acides. Generally found in fish, free range meats, and eggs, essential fatty acids may also hid in certain seed oils including sunflower, corn, and sesame oils.

For more info on essential fatty acids, visit Top Form EFAs.