Are You Deficient in Healthy Fats?

You’ve probably read about or heard about fatty acids or healthy fats. Essential fatty acids have many important roles in the body. Here are some of the main ones:

Quell inflammation
Strengthen and support the adrenal and thyroid glands
Protect nerves and the brain
Maintain healthy heart and artery function
Maintain healthy skin
Help balance hormones

Most cells in the body use essential fatty acids to ensure proper fluidity. For example, most people eat excessive amounts of harmful saturated fats found in meat in their diet. This high level of saturated fat combined with our typically low levels of essential fatty acids can result in cells that are excessively fluid, and may be more vulnerable to damaging toxins in the body.

The brain is approximately 60% fat and needs essential fatty acids to ensure proper brain health. Brain and nerve cells require proper cellular fluidity to function properly. Changes in cellular fluidity of these cells can impact behavior, mood, and even mental functioning.

If your diet contains trans fats, the harmful chemically-altered fats found in many types of margarine, baked goods, prepared and fast foods, then you need to know that not only do these fats replace beneficial ones needed for the healthy functioning of your body, they may cause serious damage.

There are many different types of fatty acids, including: Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, and others. There are many symptoms and signs that you may be deficient in one or more essential fatty acid. Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, nor does it mean that you are definitely deficient if you have one or more of these symptoms.

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Michelle Schoffro Cook

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Val G.

2:57AM PDT on May 22, 2011

Thank you Michelle for sharing this...

send a green star

Charlene S.

9:49AM PDT on Apr 11, 2011

Spirulina (I like either Pure Planet brand or Nutrex) is also a great source of essential fatty acids and is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Lori A.

3:13PM PST on Feb 28, 2011

Thanks for sharing!

9:14AM PST on Feb 4, 2011

After the no-fat/low-fat fad diet craze I'm glad to see an article educating people about the benefits and indeed the necessity of healthy fats.

JoAnn R.

2:52PM PST on Feb 3, 2011

Thank you, very good information

William F.

2:10PM PST on Jan 21, 2011

Many thanks.

2:09PM PST on Jan 21, 2011

Try my best for using that info

Heidi R.

3:19AM PST on Dec 29, 2010

Thank you. I now understand so much more. It is amazing to me that my cravings have been explained and backed up by a recent blood test. Have a blood test if you are craving cheese. It is a sign that you may be missing some very important vitamins, especially in middle age and in the elderly.

Philippa P.

4:10AM PDT on Oct 11, 2010

Great stuff, thanks.

Laura L.

4:01AM PDT on Sep 7, 2010

thanks