Mounting research suggests that getting the right amount of
essential fatty acids is as important as getting your daily
vitamins. There are fats that are very beneficial to our
general health, especially our skin health. There are also
fats we should avoid; usually we are eating the wrong fats.
Many adults are starting to include an EFA (Essential Fatty
Acid) supplement in their daily supplementation program.
The benefits are usually noticeable within a few weeks of
starting supplementation. One of the first things people
usually notice is a reduction in the dryness and itching of
the skin. Research in the prestigious medical journal, The
Lancet, cited an imbalance in fat metabolism, due to the
modern diet loaded with processed foods and hydrogenated
fats or trans fats while being practically void of
EFA’s - as a major culprit in many health problems.
Clearly, a healthy balance of EFA’s is critical to
total body health both inside and out. Essential Four:
• ALA (Alpha linolenic acid) found in flax seeds, has
shown great promise in helping the body with cancer
prevention, protecting against heart disease, improving
immune function, pre-menopausal and menopausal symptoms.
Many women report that hot flashes and night sweats
disappear after a couple weeks of taking 2 tablespoons of
flax seed oil. Improved hormone function equates to
healthier, younger looking skin.
• GLA (Gamma linolenic acid) is recognized for its
abilities in a variety of areas. It is a PMS soother,
arthritis alleviator and major beautifier. Borage oil,
black current seed oil, and evening primrose oil are the
richest sources of GLA. While GLA is found in vegetable
oils, there are numerous dietary and lifestyle factors
which disrupt the absorption. For example, consumption of
sugar, alcohol, trans fats, and lack of minerals and
vitamins can interfere with absorption of GLA, EPA and DHA.
Trans fats usually come in the form of fried foods,
alcohol is alcohol, and sugar is hidden because anything
white converts to sugar immediately. High fructose corn
syrup is the worst but baked products with white enriched
flour convert to sugar and mess with the absorption of GLA,
EPA, and DHA fats.
• Research with the Omega-3’s, EPA and DHA has
shown such great promise in a variety of mental and
physical health issues that the American Heart Association
recently revised its food guidelines to include
Omega-3’s. They are advising everyone’s diet
consist of at least two 3 ounce servings of a fatty fish
weekly. Fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel.
• These fats are critical to hormone production and
hormone production is at the source of every bodily
function. Because of the necessary of these healthy fats
in hormone production it is easy to see why they are
showing to be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of
degenerative diseases.
• Read food labels before you buy or eat a food.
This is critical you will be surprised what you can learn
from the label. Hydrogenated oils and partially
hydrogenated oils have been indicated in many major cancers
and heart disease. If the product has hydrogenated or
partially hydrogenated oils, lard or any added animal fats
do not consume it. At a restaurant ask what type of oils
or fats are used in preparing this food. Olive oil and
butter are your safest options. There is not a food that
contains these fats that you cannot live without and there
are many alternatives in today’s market place. We
can take action to remove these foods from the options that
are available in the future by not purchasing them.
• Many people today are finding they are sensitive
and cannot eat gluten containing foods. Even those tested
negative for gluten sensitivity still notice their
digestion is better when they eliminate enriched flour
products from their diets. It is not only the gluten that
is a problem in enriched flour products. Digestion is
impaired when we eat enriched flour because all the
beneficial nutrients, fiber and fats are removed from the
enriched product to begin with. Enriched means it is not
whole or it is missing something.
To Summarize:
• Take a multiple vitamin daily.
• Take an EFA daily.
• A daily dose of good fats is a vital component of
overall health and well-being as well as necessary for
beautiful skin.
• Avoid alcohol, trans fats, hydrogenated fats and
excess sugars.
• Read labels religiously.
• Eat nutrient dense foods that provide necessary
vitamins and minerals.
• Eliminate enriched flour products.
----------------------------------------------------
Kathy Wright is a beauty and wellness expert, author,
speaker and CEO of B&P Company the manufactures of
Frownies Beauty patch and skin care line. Read other
articles written by Kathy at http://www.frownies.com/tips
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