Essential Fatty Acids

As much as some people don’t want to admit it, the human body requires fat to survive. But not just any old fat will do. There are healthy fats, which we call essential fatty acids, or EFAs for short. These fats are considered essential because the human body cannot synthesize them on its own, and they must be obtained through and outside source such as foods or supplements.

The essential fatty acids are:

• Omega 3 (Linolenic acid)
• Omega 6 (Linoleic acid)
• Omega 9 (Oleic acid)

These fats are vital to optimal health and wellness, being involved in a number of functions including:

• Supporting cardiovascular health
• Repairing cell membranes
• Regulating heart rate and blood pressure
• Proper brain development

This is just a few of the many roles these healthy fats play in the human body. Unfortunately, EFA deficiency is common in the United States, which makes it even more important to supplement with these healthy fats.