Essential Fatty Acids – Brain Power
“Fat” is a word that most people hate because of how they were conditioned to believe that all fat is bad for them. It is true that there are more fats out there that are bad for you but this doesn’t mean that you should avoid fatty food. One of the fats that is good for you is essential fatty acids (EFAs) which is needed for optimal health. There are three families of essential fatty acids, omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9. Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that can’t be manufactured by the human body (exclude omega-9) and must be obtained through food.
Essential fatty acids are important for energy because cells need them to obtain optimum nutrition for assisting the release of energy. EFAs are also important for brain memory and performance, repairing cell membranes, and are beneficial for the cardiovascular, immune, reproductive and nervous systems. The body uses EFAs to regulate body functions, such as blood pressure, heart rate, blood clotting, conception, fertility and assist the body to fight diseases. EFAs have been known to help prevent risk factors associated with life threaten illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease. Children should pay close attention to EFAs because the fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain, and appears to play a big role in behavior and cognitive function. Pregnant women should also pay close attention to EFAs because they are necessary for normal growth of their fetus.
To make sure you are consuming enough essential fatty acids, avoid cooking food in high heat for too long, the heat will destroy the fatty acids. Also, eat more plant-based than meat-based food. The EFAs found in plants are more stable which reduces the levels of free-radicals in your body. There are currently no recommended daily intakes for EFAs in the United States but nutritionist believes that men should consume about 1.6 grams per day and women should consume about 1.1 grams per day.
Important sources of essential fatty acids:
- Cabbage
- Canola (rapeseed) oil
- Corn oil
- Coldwater Fish (salmon, herring, sturgeon, mackerel, etc.)
- Flaxseed
- Hemp oil
- Lettuce
- Pumpkin seeds
- Safflower
- Shellfish
- Sunflower
- Walnuts
- Wheatgerm
For best results, consume only organic and unprocessed oil or food.
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Hello energy and health fanatics, independent thinkers, truth seekers and freedom lovers! My name is Pao L. Chang and I’m the author/founder of EnergyFanatics.com. Ever since graduating from high school, I noticed that my energy level was not as high as it used to be. While in college, I decided to educate myself about energy, health, wellness, and explore the mystery of alternative medicine and the power of spiritual healing. This journey taught me many things...
