Print Article for : Essential Fatty Acids Supplements

Your Online Guide » Guide to Medical » Learn Hypnosis

[E300]Essential Fatty Acids Supplements

by Rebecca Prescott, Reb

Whilst scientists do not fully understand the cause of acne, the role of essential fatty acids in the body, including the skin, is reasonably understood. This understanding has led to some scientists and natural health practitioners looking at the effects and benefits of essential fatty acids for skin conditions such as acne.

Udo Erasmus is a writer with post graduate studies in genetics, and biochemistry, and a PhD in Nutrition. He believes there are nutritional deficiencies and problems that can cause or exacerbate acne, though they are not as simple as the usual ones about chocolate!

Central to his belief is that: "Hard fats and (hard) protein debris clog narrow pores and channels in our skin, and invite infection by bacteria who feast on the mess". (p346)

He believes acne is a result of "fatty degeneration". Factors in this are:

fats associating poorly with protein
too many 'hard' fats
not enough essential fatty acids

Hard fats are also called saturated fatty acids. These are the fats that are found in most food, including animal fats and dairy. Their name comes from the fact that the fat molecules carry the maximum amount of hydrogen molecules that they possibly can. This has significance in the way these fats act in our body. Some of these saturated fats have a high melting point, like butter and milk fat.
An excess can cause problems for our arteries and heart health.

Fatty acids, of the essential and non essential kind, are found in our cell membranes. This includes the membranes of the skin. Erasmus describes the characteristics of saturated fatty acids as tending to stick together. And because they have a higher melting point, they are more likely to be clump together and form deposits when we consume them in excess. So, they are harder for the body to get rid of. And as well as clumping together, they can clump with other things like protein, minerals, and cholesterol. Excess sugar can be a problem because our body converts excess sugar into saturated fatty acids.

Other problems with excess saturated fatty acids includes the fact that the body can convert them into unsaturated fatty acids, which can then oxidize if we don't consume enough fatty acids.

Saturated fatty acids can reduce the supply of oxygen to our tissues, by making blood cells which carry oxygen stick together and so impede that vital transportation system which normally carries oxygen to our cells.

Excess fat, including excess saturated fats, are stored in the adipose cells in our skin. These are fat storage centers.

Erasmus recommends consuming W3 (alpha linolenic acid) and w6 (flax and linoleic acid) essential fatty acids in the correct ratio.

Essential fatty acids have free receptors for hydrogen bonds. This characteristic changes the way the molecules are structured in terms of the shape they have. And it is this different shape, a kinked shape, that means they don't clump together with the affinity that saturated fats do. And they also have a lower melting point – so they are more liquid also. Because of this difference in structure, they also have a slight negative molecular charge, and given that like charges repel, this is another reason why they don't clump together. Erasmus characterizes these properties of unsaturated fats as providing 'fluidity' to cell membranes. He says this allows the cells to fulfill important chemical functions.

Inflammation, a characteristic of acne, is associated with a deficiency in the essential fatty acid LNA, or alpha linolenic acid. Erasmus writes that whilst inflammation is not a classical symptom of LNA, when people take alpha linolenic acid supplements, this symptom can be reversed.

Essential fatty acids as a group are strongly anti-inflammatory. Another essential fatty acid, linoleic acid (LA) has particular reference to acne. When there is a deficiency of linoleic acid, the oil producing glands in the skin make sebum that is mixed with oleic acid. Oleic acid is found in butter and land animal fats. However, in excess, it can interfere in essential fatty acid use. But more importantly for acne sufferers, sebum mixed with oleic acid is irritating to the skin. It lends itself to blockages of the pores that result in acne, blackheads and whiteheads.

Anti-inflammatory medications are, without a doubt, one of the biggest selling medication classifications in the Western world. According to the June 17, 1999 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, doctors wrote more than 70 million prescriptions for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs or ?NSAIDs.? On top of that, more than 30 billion over-the-counter NSAID tablets (aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, etc.) were sold in the United States in that year. But while these medications offer temporary relief for our everyday aches and pains, what exactly is their function? Are they healing or are they masking beneficial symptoms? Are their better alternatives? The answers to these questions may surprise you.

Inflammation can be a normal process designed to heal the body. Inflammation begins with the release of a fatty acid called arachidonic acid. Triggers for arachidonic acid release include chemical or environmental toxin exposure, bacterial or viral infection, or injury and trauma. Once released, arachidonic acid is converted to compounds called prostaglandins, specifically one called PGE2 which brings about the signs and symptoms of inflammation: redness, heat, swelling, and pain. Each of these symptoms, while uncomfortable, is a sign that the body is repairing itself and protecting itself from further injury.

NSAIDs and other anti-inflammatory medications stop the conversion of arachadonic acid to prostaglandins at various locations in the pathway. They can also have side effects on the body which include ulcers, intestinal bleeding, liver damage, kidney failure, headache, and more. Remember that the symptoms of inflammation indicate an attempt of the body to heal by increasing its metabolic processes. By suppressing the symptoms of inflammation, healing never actually occurs, the body can remain inflamed, and the cycle will begin again.

So how can we support the inflammation process, but reduce the symptoms that are so uncomfortable? One answer lies with essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids or EFAs are fats that come directly from our diet or from supplementation. They are called essential because our body cannot make them on its own and we must provide them through the diet. The most beneficial EFAs are the Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. The Omega 3 fatty acids are extremely powerful. In the body's constant search for balance, it directly synthesizes an anti-inflammatory prostaglandin called PGE3 from Omega-3 fatty acids. Adequate amounts of PGE3 inhibit the inflammatory process and ensure that inflammation does not overwhelm the individual. In other words, omega-3 fatty acids decrease inflammation and bring balance to the body. This balance brings allows the body to heal and lessens uncomfortable inflammatory symptoms.

The best source of omega-3 fatty acids is cold-water fish like salmon, trout, halibut, sardines, and cod. These fish are rich in the omega-3 fatty acids. Another very beneficial source of EFAs is marine phytoplankton. Marine phytoplankton are microscopic single-celled plants which provide high levels of vitamins, minerals, and EFAs. They are the beginning of the food chain, the food for whales, and a great source of foundational nutrition. Marine phytoplankton is finally available for human supplementation and appears very promising at supporting optimal health. As with any nutritional supplement, finding a good product is very important. Knowing your source will ensure that you have a properly prepared and formulated product that will work effectively. Sources we have found to be reputable and beneficial can be found here.

Balancing the inflammatory response with omega-3 fatty acids is not typically done as a quick fix for an acute inflammatory response. For example, fish oils will not provide immediate relief for sports injuries, headaches, etc. Ice, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, and herbs are more effective in those situations. Instead, omega-3 fatty acids are most beneficial in supporting chronic inflammatory conditions like heart disease, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, eczema, colitis, and autoimmune conditions

Essential fatty acids play a key role in balancing the inflammatory response in the body. They do not suppress healing, but instead support the body's own anti-inflammatory response. Doing this ensures that healing occurs effectively and efficiently. So the next time you reach for that bottle of aspirin for your chronic pain, remember the marine phytoplankton and the friendly fish and their oils. They may be what you need to live pain and inflammation free.

Article Source : Learn Hypnosis

About Author

Both Rebecca Prescott & Rolfie are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Rebecca Prescott has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Yoga Practice and Woman Menopause. For more , click here. Rebecca Prescott presents the. Rebecca Prescott's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.

Rolfie has sinced written about articles on various topics from Network Marketing, Health and Aging. . Rolfie's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.