Essential Fatty Acid

Definition of Essential Fatty Acid:

A substance that the human body cannot manufacture and therefore must be supplied in the diet.

Also: EFA, EFAs, Essential Fatty Acids

Topics Related to Essential Fatty Acid

Addictions / Addictive Tendencies

...the condition
“...Supplements that Support Drug Rehabilitation, Recovery and Drug Detox ... Essential Fatty Acids Help reverse the effects of malnutrition related to drug addiction...”

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

...recommendation DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
“...In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of children already using stimulant therapy, the addition of the essential fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for 4 months failed to further improve symptoms...”
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More topics Related to Essential Fatty Acid

Bipolar Disorder, Manic-Depressive

...recommendation EPA (eicosapentanoic acid)
“Several studies have shown that essential fatty acids may be beneficial in treating Bipolar Disorder...”

Bleeding Tendency

...the condition
“...Examples of these include: tocotrienols, fish oils, curcumin, gingko biloba, grapes and grape juice, testosterone, Coumadin, vitamin E over 300IU/day, vitamin B6 over 150-200mg per day, too many essential fatty acids, garlic, taurine and gugulipids...”

Chitosan

...as a treatment
“...Also, these supplements can bind with essential fatty acids, fat-based vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and certain drugs, thus reducing these substances' absorption and effectiveness...”

Chlorophyll

...as a treatment
“...Chlorophyll is known as a "super food" because of the range and quantity of nutrients (vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and essential fatty acids) that it contains, including...”

Chronic Inflammation

...relationship to EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Requirement
“...balance of the antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGE1 and PGE3) with the pro-spasmodic and pro-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGE2), it is critical to have the proper balance of essential fatty acids.  Without adequate amounts of both Omega-3 and Omega-6 oils in the diet, prostaglandin production will be reduced and problems may result.”
...recommendation Essential Fatty Acids
“...The levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory prostaglandins are primarily determined by the intake of essential fatty acids.  A dietary deficiency of Omega-3 type fatty acids has been associated with a tendency toward chronic inflammation, which regular consumption of these oils can reduce...”

Cosmetics / Moisturizers

...as a treatment
“...Ingredients that are often added to moisturizers include lanolin (from sheep's wool, it may cause an allergic reaction), vitamins, essential fatty acids, collagen, elastin, and keratin...”

Crohn's Disease

...recommendation Essential Fatty Acids
“...These results indicate EFA deficiency...”

Dandruff

...relationship to EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Requirement
“A diet low in essential fatty acids can result in skin problems, such as dandruff.”

Delta-6-Desaturase

...related topic
“An important enzyme involved in the conversion of essential fatty acids to prostaglandins...”

Dry skin

...recommendation Essential Fatty Acids
“Dry skin is often related to a deficiency of essential fatty acids.”

Eczema

...recommendation Hydrochloric Acid (Trial)
“If improvement isn't clear when using zinc or essential fatty acids, consider HCl and pancreatic enzymes...”
...recommendation Essential Fatty Acids
“In published studies, a mixture EFAs from safflower, sunflower and flax oil provided benefit...”

EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Requirement

...the condition
“Alternative names: Essential Fatty Acids, EFAs Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are important for optimal health and deemed 'essential' because, unlike other fats, the human body cannot make them from other fats or raw materials...”

EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Type 3 Requirement

...the condition
“Alternative names: EFA Type 3, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Omega-3 Fats, Omega-3, LNA, N-3 fats, Alpha-Linolenic Acid, α-Linolenic Acid Essential Fatty Acid Type 3, or Omega-3, is one of two fatty acids that are essential to human health because they cannot be synthesized by the body (the other is Omega-6)...”
...our question about Level of fish consumption
“...This means that salmon raised in salt water pens contain substantially less omega-3 oil than wild salmon, and can no longer be considered a good source of omega-3 essential fatty acids unless clearly identified as 'wild caught'...”

EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Type 6 Requirement

...the condition
“Alternative names: EFA Type 6, Omega-6 Fatty Acids, Omega-6 Fats, Omega-6, LA, N-6 fats, Linoleic Acid Essential Fatty Acid Type 6, or Omega-6, is one of two fatty acids that are essential to human health because they cannot be synthesized by the body (the other is Omega-3)...”

Effects of a High Fat Diet

...the condition
“...Essential fatty acids are required by the body to function normally...”

Enlarged Prostate

...recommendation Zinc
“...Research has shown that zinc and essential fatty acids are important to help prevent prostate problems that affect men as they grow older...”
...recommendation Pumpkin Seeds
“...The efficacy of pumpkin seeds is thought to be due to their high content of essential fatty acids, zinc and plant sterols...”
...recommendation Essential Fatty Acids
“The administration of an essential fatty acid (EFA) complex containing linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic acids has resulted in significant improvement for many patients...”

Essential Fatty Acids

...as a treatment
“...To balance the one-sided view on fats, we must talk about essential fatty acids (EFAs): an adequate supply of healing fats is even more important to health than the avoidance of killer fats...”

Evening Primrose Oil

...as a treatment
“...As a source of both GLA and other the Omega 6 essential fatty acid, EPO is often taken as a daily supplement by many...”

Female Hair Loss

...the condition
“...Common causes of hair loss or hair thinning in women ... essential fatty acid deficiency...”
...relationship to EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Requirement
Essential fatty acid deficiency can results in dry, brittle hair and hair thinning or loss.”

Fibrocystic Breast Disease

...relationship to EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Requirement
“...Treatment with essential fatty acids may help to normalize this...”

Fish Oils

...as a treatment
“...Various essential fatty acids, including fish oil, flaxseed oil, and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), are widely recommended for dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain), and two studies suggest that fish oil may indeed be...”
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More topics Related to Essential Fatty Acid

Flax

...related topic
“...Flax oil is nutty-flavored oil that is pressed out of flax seeds and is one of the richest sources of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), a vital element for good health...”

Flax Seed, Flaxseed Oil, Linseed Oil

...as a treatment
“The seeds of the flax plant are extremely high in essential fatty acids (EFAs), containing between 50 to 60% linolenic acid (triple unsaturated omega-3) and between 15 to 25% linoleic acid (double unsaturated omega-6)...”

Gonads

...related topic
“...Nutritional needs for the gonads vary somewhat, but all require plenty of essential fatty acids, vitamins C, E and B-complex, the minerals calcium, magnesium, selenium, iron and zinc.”

Helicobacter Pylori Infection

...recommendation Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids have the ability to inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori and suppress acid production.”

Hemp Seed Oil

...related topic
“A rich source of essential fatty acids necessary for everyday health and longevity, maintaining cell structure and producing energy...”

Hepatitis

...recommendation Plant-Based Nutrition
“A more vegetarian diet is naturally lower in saturated fats (meat and dairy products) and higher in grains, vegetables, fruits, vegetable proteins (legumes such as soy), and essential fatty acids (cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds) that are all recommended for Hepatitis...”

High/Increased Fat Diet

...as a treatment
“...Fat supplies our bodies with essential fatty acids that can be found only in food...”

High/Increased Protein Diet

...as a treatment
“...Other beneficial sources of protein include: fish (essential fatty acids), eggs (essential fatty acids), beans (fiber), whole grains (fiber, vitamins, minerals)...”

Ileum

...related topic
“...The last foot of the ileum is the only absorption site available for important dietary substances such as vitamin B12, folic acid, some essential fatty acids, fat soluble vitamins, and recycled bile acids.”

Lupus, SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

...relationship to EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Type 3 Requirement
“There is a possible defect in the metabolism of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)...”

Male Hair Loss

...relationship to EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Requirement
Essential fatty acid deficiency can results in dry, brittle hair and hair thinning or loss.”

Menorrhagia (Heavy Periods)

...recommendation Essential Fatty Acids
“Omega 3 EFAs may reduce bleeding in adolescent girls and improve other menstrual symptoms generally in women.”

Multiple Sclerosis

...recommendation Essential Fatty Acids
“The Swank diet includes a blend of 40-50gm per day of essential fatty acids as well as at least 1 teaspoon of cod liver oil per day.”

Myasthenia Gravis

...recommendation Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids have been shown to suppress autoimmune attacks in general and to help protect myelin sheaths...”

Platelet Aggregation (Clotting)

...the condition
“...include tocotrienols, shark liver oil, curcumin, gingko biloba, grape seed extract, grapes and grape juice, testosterone, Coumadin, fish oils, vitamin E at 300 IU or above, B6 at 150-200mg, EFAs, garlic, taurine and gugulipids...”

Poor Memory

...recommendation Evening Primrose Oil
“Evening primrose oil (two 500mg capsules three times daily) contains a hormone-like substance called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid which is required for all brain functions.”

Poor Prostate Health

...the condition
“...That's just part of the story, since what's missing is recognition of the role the essential fatty acids play in balancing and regulating saturated fats...”

Pregnancy-Related Issues

...recommendation Essential Fatty Acids
“Adequate and balanced essential fatty acid intake is important for the optimal neurologic development of the baby.”

Premenstrual Syndrome PMS C (Craving)

...the condition
“...The following supplements can also help ... Essential fatty acids...”

Premenstrual Syndrome PMS D (Depression)

...the condition
“...Other potentially useful dietary supplements include ... Essential fatty acids (EFAs)...”

Psoriasis

...relationship to EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Type 3 Requirement
“A diet low in essential fatty acids can cause various health problems, including making skin conditions such as dandruff, psoriasis and eczema worse.”

Restless Leg Syndrome

...recommendation Essential Fatty Acids
“If not caused by circulatory blockage, simply get more calcium and oxygen to your leg muscles by taking extra essential fatty acids, a specific form of vitamin E called Vitamin E2 (from Standard Process Labs, for example), and Calcium Lactate.”

Rheumatoid Arthritis

...recommendation Essential Fatty Acids
“Both Omega-6 and Omega-3 EFAs and their metabolites Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) and EPA have shown effectiveness against Rheumatoid Arthritis...”

Syndrome X / Metabolic Syndrome

...the condition
“...Nutritional Supplements: Some of the most useful supplements for managing and reversing Syndrome X are Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), which trigger lipoprotein lipase activation, resulting in an immediate breakdown of triglycerides in the blood without drugs or side-effects...”

Tendency To Sunburn Easily

...the condition
“...Its accomplices are loss of moisture and essential fatty acids, and the body's nutritional status – especially low antioxidant levels...”

Test for Urine Kryptopyrroles

...as a treatment
“...Treatment is centered on zinc and B6 supplements together with omega-6 essential fatty acids.  If left undiagnosed and untreated, the condition can lead to a wide range of significant health problems...”

Vasculitis

...recommendation Essential Fatty Acids
“An essential fatty acid Omega-6/Omega-3 imbalance or deficiency can contribute to inflammation, which is part of the problem in vasculitis.”

Zinc Requirement

...the condition
“...Zinc is also needed for the conversion of essential fatty acids into compounds that help regulate skin condition...”
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