Essential Fatty Acids and why we can’t live without them

So, how important are the Essential Fatty Acids you ask? Very important. They are so vital to life, that humans could not live without them. Two out of the three families are considered essential. They are alpha linolenic acid (ALA) from the omega-3 family and linoleic acid (LA) from the omega-6 family.

Do you know all three of the fatty acid families?

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Alpha linolenic acid (ALA)
• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
• Docosahexanoic acid (DHA)

Omega-6 Fatty Acids

• Linoleic acid (LA)
• Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)
• Arachidonic acid (AA)

Omega-9 Fatty Acids

• Oleic acid

It’s really hard to believe but all the fatty acids are important. Our body requires about twenty fatty acids to function properly. The big difference is that alpha linolenic acid and linoleic acid can’t be manufactured by the body and have to be taken in with the diet.

Alpha linolenic acid is a member of the omega-3 fatty acid family. Most of the sources you hear about is probably eating fish and flaxseeds. Some easily accessible foods that contain ALA are walnuts, canola oil and green leafy vegetables. You can even get eggs with omega-3′s.

LA belongs to the omega-6 family. Linoleic acid can be found in foods like Flaxseed oil,flaxseed meal, hempseed oil, hempseeds, grapeseed oil, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, pistachio nuts, sunflower seeds (raw), olive oil, olives, borage oil, evening primrose oil, black currant seed oil, chestnut oil, chicken plus many more.  Corn, sunflower, soybean, and cottonseed oils are also sources of linoleic acid, but can be refined and may be nutrient-deficient if they are not cold pressed. Some olive oils even say, “Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil” that would be the best. Always remember that heat destroys EFA’s . I’m pretty sure that most of these sources are available in your grocery store or whole food store.

Why do we need Essential Fatty Acids?

Essential Fatty Acids are fital for cells to carry out normal functions because fatty acids are part of the cell membranes. Some of the important parts they play are:

• Healthy Brain development and function
• Balanced mood
• Healthy circulation
• Healthy kidney functions
• Pain and inflammation regulation
• Healthy immune function
• Vital for healthy skin, hair and nails (if you want to grow your hair out, you need lots of healthy EFA’s for support)

There are some known physical signs of fatty acid deficiency, some of them are:

• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Dry heels, hands, feet
• cardiovascular Disease
• Cancer
• Depression
• Memory loss
• Hypertension, plus more…

All these healthy fats can go bad and rancid! Making sure you keep all your omegas stored in the fridge ensures a safe storage for your EFA’s. (Essential Fatty Acids) Don’t overdo it with the healthy fats, they are good for you and good for your body but stay withing the suggested guidelines for the daily recommended amount. With only two tablespoons of flaxseed meal you can be on your way to a happier and healthier you. Don’t forget, EFA’s hate the heat, keep them cold and mostly don’t cook with them. EFA’s should be consumed cold in salads, mixed in with smoothies, drinks, on top of healthy cereals and soups. Add the EFA’s at the end of the cooking process when you serve your meal, this will make sure all of the EFA’s are undamaged.

One more thing, it’s not wise to hide healthy supplements from children.Do not sneak it in their foods.  How will they learn to add healthy nutrients into their foods when they are off to college without mom? Always tell your children about why it is important to eat delicious nuts and seeds or other whole foods. Let your children know that the healthy oils helps their brain keep up with the learning in school. Which child doesn’t want to do well in school? Hiding facts doesn’t help them in the long run!

Stay healthy!

Monika Baechler

Xylitol for Diabetics – What is Xylitol?

During WWII Finland was suffering from an acute sugar shortage. With no domestic supply of sugar, the Finns searched for an alternative. It was then, when Finnish scientists rediscovered xylitol, a low-calorie sugar made from birch bark. It was first  manufactured in 1891  in Germany but got kind of lost after that.

By the 1960′s, xylitol was being used in Germany, Switzerland, the Soviet Union, and Japan as a preferred sweetener in diabetics. It has been relatively unknown in the U.S. and Australia, primarily because cheap supplies of cane sugar made the more expensive xylitol less economically viable.

Xylitol tastes and looks exactly like sugar, but those are the only similarities. Sugar destroys our health and body and xylitol heals and repairs it. Not only has xylitol no aftertaste but it also builds immunity, protects us against chronic degenerative diseases, plus it has anti-aging benefits.

The body makes xylitol in small amounts in the body naturally and has no toxic levels. You might feel small discomfort when you start first taking it until your body gets used to the higher levels of xylitol. People sometimes complain about diarrhea or some cramping at the beginning.

Xylitol has 40% less calories and 75% fewer carbs than sugar, plus xylitol is absorbed slower into the body than sugar. We metabolise xylitol slower, which results in a small change in insulin levels. Xylitol is a Diabetics best friend for breakfasts and desserts as well as sweets.

But did you know, that xylitol:

• has a low glycemic index of 7
• releases a steady energy flow
• has very little effect on blood sugar
• reduces your carbohydrate cravings
• improves dental health
• it is very alkaline

Xylitol is found in fibrous vegetables and fruit, as well as in corn and various hardwood trees like birch. The body itself produces up to 15 grams daily from other foods during normal metabolism. Xylitol is the only form of sugar that does not promote and feed dangerous bacteria and fungi and it is approved by USFDA and World Health Organization.

Xylitol has been used in the dental field for over sixty years to help promote oral health and the prevention of disease caused by bacteria.

• Inhibits plaque and dental cavities up to 80%.
• Retards demineralization of tooth enamel.
• Re-mineralization of tooth enamel.
• Increase saliva production.
• Protects saliva proteins.
• Reduces infections in the mouth.

Xylitol benefits in the dental field are unlimited and is used in lots of gums and toothpastes.

reference: xylitol canada