Let’s face it.  An essential fatty acid is one that the human body cannot produce on its own.  There are several that must be present in the diet.  Like other nutrients, such as vitamin C, a lack of them can cause health problems.  But, the symptoms are not immediately obvious.

The omega-6s and omega-3s are the two groups that are classified as essential for human health.  They are polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFAs.

Omega-9s, saturated and trans-fatty acids need not be present in the diet.  In fact, too much of them may cause health problems.  Trans-fats are considered by some to be a health hazard.

In the State of California, trans-fats are classified as human carcinogens, cancer-causing agents.  Some evidence indicates that consumption of omega-9s, even though they are unsaturated, increases a person’s risk of breast cancer.  Saturated fats are bad, because they seem to contribute to weight gain.

It took years for litigation to pass through congress requiring food manufacturers to list the percentage of trans, saturated and PUFAs on the nutrition label.  Before that, it took years to get the manufacturers to list the total fat content.  What are the manufacturers trying to hide?

If you knew that a bag of chips containing partially hydrogenated soy bean oil could cause you to have cancer, would you still eat them?  Some people might.

There are still a lot of people that believe cancer is genetic, having nothing to do with the diet or exposure to toxins.  They pay no attention to advice about essential fatty acid consumption.  They eat what they like or what they find easiest.

But, food manufacturers must be concerned that health-minded individuals will stop buying their products, if they pay attention to what they contain.  They still fail to break down the PUFAs listed on the label.  So, it is difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain whether an essential fatty acid is included in the product or not.

The concentration of omega-6s and 3s in the fat is important, because high intake of omega-6s relative to 3s contributes to silent or chronic inflammation.  It is a cause of various health problems, traditionally attributed to the aging process.

The healthiest diets are those that are balanced.  The omega-6-3 intake is between 1:1 and 4:1.  People accomplish this by choosing the healthiest oils for cooking, which are canola and olive oils.  They snack on walnuts, pecans and almonds.  And, they eat a lot of fish and seafood.

Some types of fish and seafood contain an essential fatty acid that is not found in other dietary sources.  It is called Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA.  There has been some debate about whether or not DHA must be present in the diet, but that is slowly coming to an end.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/where-to-get-essential-fatty-acid-in-your-diet-1529143.html

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What is DHA used for these days?  While the abbreviation could refer to a form of vitamin C, the active ingredient in self-tanning products or a coal tar derivative, it is most commonly used to refer to Docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid.  Here’s where you’ll find it and what it’s good for.

The primary dietary source of Docosahexaenoic acid in the human diet is fish and seafood.  At one time, beef, poultry and eggs may have been a source of the nutrient, but as they have been taken off of grass and other greens, fed primarily corn and grain, the foods are no longer sources of the nutrient.  Any omega-3 that they contain is alpha-linolenic acid or ALA.

ALA is an essential fatty acid, but it is not used by the human body “as is”.  It is converted to Eicosapentaenoic acid, which through a series of steps may eventually be converted to Docosahexaenoic acid, but researchers believe that the conversion occurs only under severe circumstances.  They know that only a small amount is converted and that high intakes of ALA do not increase circulating blood levels of Docosahexaenoic acid, which makes it an essential fatty acid, too.

What is DHA used for in the human body?  It is a primary component of brain cells, neurons and the epithelium inside of the eye.  It is believed that regular fish and seafood consumption was what allowed man’s brain to become larger, in the first place.

Low levels of Docosahexaenoic acid are associated with Alzheimer’s and depressive disorders.  Those findings indicate that the nutrient is necessary for the continued health of the brain, not just during early childhood or during fetal development.

What is DHA used for by food manufacturers?  Primarily, it is a food additive.  Until recently, the main use was to fortify infant formulas.  Breast milk is rich in Docosahexaenoic acid.  Cow’s milk and soy, the basis of infant formulas, do not provide the nutrient.

What is DHA used for in the treatment and prevention of diseases?  That is a relatively new field of study, although it began over two decades, ago.  Arthritis, heart disease, and depression are just a few of the conditions that may benefit from  supplementation.

Most cardiologists agree that the primary benefit is in the area of heart disease prevention.  Exactly how much is necessary to provide the benefit is still unclear.  But, most doctors recommend a minimum daily intake of Docosahexaenoic acid and Eicosapentaenoic acid combined.

What is DHA used for?  It’s used by the human body to grow and live.  It is a nutrient essential for good health and long life.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/what-is-dha-used-for-in-supplements-1377164.html