What are and why do I need Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)?
There are 50 or so essential nutrients that are needed in the human diet to maintain health. These include vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids (EFAs). The EFAs are identified as omega-3 EFA (or alpha-linolenic acid) and omega-6 EFA (linoleic acid). A deficiency in either progressively results in poor health. Like other essential nutrients, the human body cannot function without these EFAs in the diet. EFAs function as building blocks for membranes of every cell in the body. They also produce “prostaglandin families,” which are hormone-like substances necessary for energy metabolism and cardiovascular and immune health. Brain and nerve tissue consist of over 50% EFAs! See the Benefits of Omega-3 and 6 for more information.
