Essential Fatty Acids      

	Some Facts about FAT:
	1.  The link between dietary fat intake and excess body fat is only part of the story.
	2.  Fats form a vital part of every cell in the body.
	3.  The brain is made almost entirely of fats, lipids and water.
	4.  Fats are the raw material for hormone production in the body.
	5.  Pain and inflammation are controlled by fat derived substances.
	6.  Certain fats lubricate dry skin when taken internally.
	7.  Some fat is necessary to protect our internal organs.
	What about Essential Fats?
	1.  Some fats are essential which means they have to be obtained through the diet, i.e. The body cannot make them from other raw materials and therefore it cannot be fully healthy without them.
	2.  We crave any fat when we are short of essential fats.
	3.  There is a serious shortage of essential fats in the modern diet. Excess processing damages or destroys most Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's).
	4.  There are two basic families of fats that are regarded as essential. They are called Omega 6 and Omega 3. The necessary ratio of these fats in the brain is 1:1.
	5.  A serious deficiency of Omega 3 fats has now become the norm for most people. This is because of the lack of awareness of good food sources and an underestimation of their importance.
	6.  There us a huge focus on fats and their role in heart disease, high cholesterol, strokes and excess weight gain and very little importance attached to the vital role essential fats play in building our own health and that of the next generation.
	7.  Adequate intake of essential fats will reduce our appetite for the unnecessary fats.
	8.  EFA's are essential in four primary body functions: provide energy; maintain body temperature; insulate our nerves; cushion and protect body tissues.
	9.  A World Health Organisation study recommended that at least 3% of our daily calorie intake should be in the form of EFA's, 5% for children and pregnant/lactating mothers.
	Where can we get EFAs?
	1.  Linseed or Flax oil is one of the richest sources of Omega 3 available and can therefore help correct what can be a life long deficiency in the shortest time.
	2.  Hempseed oil is one of the richest sources of both EFAs. It is about 20% Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3), 50% Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) and upto 3.5% GLA (Omega 6). It is ideal for maintaining the right EFA balance once any Omega 3 deficiency has been corrected.
	3.  Evening Primrose Oil is one of the richest natural sources of GLA (Omega 6) and is also high in Linoleic Acid.