Essential fatty acids are truly essential because it is not possible for the human body to be healthy without them.
What’s interesting is the fact that the Standard American diet does not include vital EFA’s, particularly Omega 3’s. To make matters worse, though most of us do receive a small amount of Omega 3’s from fish and meat, the amount we get is not nearly the amount our bodies need.
The benefits of essential fatty acids
Several years ago I read the work of Otto Warburg, a German physiologist, medical doctor, and Nobel laureate.
Dr. Warburg investigated the metabolism of tumors and respiration cells and gave the following statement:
Cancer, above all other diseases, has countless secondary causes. But, even for cancer, there is only one prime cause. Summarized in a few words, the prime cause of cancer is the replacement of the respiration of oxygen in normal body cells by a fermentation of sugar.”
~ Otto H. Warburg, [13]
It has not been proven that lack of oxygen to a cell is the prime cause of cancer.
Now, I’d like you to take a few seconds and read the quote by Dr. Warburg, and then read that sentence above one more time. Because it’s that important for your health.
We know that if oxygen is decreased by 35% the cell becomes a sugar cell in order to survive and becomes cancerous. So why are essential fatty acids so important?
What is important is that EFAs allow the cells in our body to absorb oxygen.
Basically cholesterol binds to whatever fats you ingest and delivers the fat to your cells. These fats are absorbed by the lining of the cell wall. If your cell walls are filled with healthy Omega 3’s the hemoglobin attaches to oxygen and delivers it to the cell wall where it is immediately absorbed by the cell to make energy.
In other words, EFAs help deliver vital nutrients like oxygen to your cells, keeping them (and you) healthy.
Sadly, most Americans consume oils like:
- vegetable
- soybean
- *canola
- corn
- peanut
- sunflower
- safflower.
These oils make the cells sick, and slow down the process of oxygen absorption. The cells go from firm, round bodies, to flabby cell walls. The other issue is that these oils also cause plaques that lead to heart disease.
What oils should you take and how much?
- Nordic Naturals: Ultimate Omega (EPA and DHA) Take 2 morning and night.
- MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides) Coconut Oil: 1 – 2 Tbs Daily (Smoothie)
- Ground Flax Seed: 2 Tbs Daily (Sprinkle on salad, yogurt, or cereal)
- Hulled Hemp Seeds: 1 -2 Tbs Daily (Great mixed with nuts and a little bit of dried fruit)
- Chia Seeds (Great in smoothies)
- Raw nuts
- Avocado
Which Oils should I cook with?
- Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
Include these essential fats in every snack or meal you consume.
For a MUCH healthier diet increase the right fats, eliminate the bad fats, decrease the amount of gluten and dairy you consume each day, and you will feel significantly healthier within 30 days.
If you would like to read more about Essential Fatty Acids, please read the book by Mark Hyman MD “Eat Fat and Get Thin.”
NOTE: I have to take a moment to talk about Canola Oil. Canola is one of the best examples of effective but bad marketing. Originally Canola oil was called Rape seed oil, and was a machine oil for tractors. As tractors started to disappear, an amazing marketing campaign began. They changed the name to Canola, and advertised as the “healthier oil”. I clearly remember when Canola oil started advertising on TV as the healthy alternative. It is absolutely not healthy. It was, and still is a machine oil.
