Essential Fatty Acid Balance & Your Health Part I

Around 95% of doctor visits are due to either pain or fatigue. A staple in our diet that is closely associated with both of these issues are the Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). They are called “Essential” because our body doesn’t make them, so we must consume these fats in our diet. We typically get EFAs from fish (fish oils), animal fats, vegetables, nuts & seeds. What is so concerning is that EFA deficiency is “pandemic” in our society. Estimates say that about 90% of people have less than ideal amounts of EFAs in their diet. So how do these neglected fats relate to pain and fatigue? Because they are vital in the processes of controlling inflammation and adrenal function…

Inflammation & Essential Fatty Acids

Inflammation is the body’s natural protective response to injury and infection. While inflammation is a normal and healthy process, chronic or prolonged inflammation often causes harm to healthy tissues and interferes with their normal functioning. This response can lead to pain, swelling, and discomfort, detrimental to our overall quality of life. It can also cause the formation of excessive scar tissue in an area, increased risk of chronic diseases (CVD, Diabetes, Cancers), & more. Inflammation is controlled by chemicals called eicosanoids. These chemicals are hormone-like substances that regulate immunity and inflammation within the body and are made up of EFAs. Here’s the kicker: the type of fats that you consume determine whether your body makes more pro-inflammatory chemicals or more anti-inflammatory chemicals. In my opinion, public enemy #1 consists of highly processed seed oils. People are so afraid of Saturated Fats like butter that they have turned to these highly inflammatory seed oils (Canola/rapeseed oil, Corn oil, Sunflower oil to name a few). Control inflammation by reducing harmful, inflammatory fats and increasing healthy fats (both shown in part II).

Adrenal Glands & Essential Fatty Acids

The Adrenal glands are small walnut-sized glands sitting on top of our kidneys that are our “Stress Adaptation Glands”. When these are underperforming (either they don’t have the resources to work, they are exhausted from too much stress or both) we may see a myriad of symptoms like fatigue, afternoon headaches, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), obesity, allergy & asthma symptoms, poor resistance to infection, inability to stay asleep or concentrate, poor memory, and more. The Adrenal Glands need Essential Fatty Acids to work optimally. EFAs are needed for the Adrenal Glands to make cortisol (aka stress hormone) and other hormones to properly carry out our ability to adapt to our environment. Providing high-quality fats and avoiding highly processed fried foods and hydrogenated (trans) fats is a powerful way to support your Adrenals. A later post about adrenal health will be released discussing the numerous stressors to adrenal health and the steps to take to improve their wellbeing and function.

Joint Pain, Dry Skin/Hair & EFAs

A good way to think about how EFA deficiency affects the joints is that our joints need oil like a car needs oil. People who feel brittle or suffer from joint pain should see if this is contributing to their issue. Most of this is due to the inflammatory effects of unbalanced or deficient EFAs discussed above. Inflammation can cause swelling, pain, stiffness, and reduced motion in the joints. Also, if the skin, hair, or eyes are dry then an EFA deficiency may be at the root of the problem. My issue was flaky, dry skin around my eyes and dry eyes in general. I was applying lotion to the skin and used eyedrops 3-4x/day. I supplemented OmegAvail Ultra from Designs for Health and that problem quickly subsided. My skin stopped flaking off and my eyes went from red and dry to hydrated and full!

Stay tuned for Part II where we talk about the difference between Omega 6 and Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids, what foods to eat and avoid to obtain healthy EFAs, and high-quality supplementation options!

Disclaimer: The information provided on this health blog is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, registered dietician, or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a specific condition.