Essential fats contain fatty acids and are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), they are essential to human health. They cannot be synthesized or made by the human body so they must be obtained from our diet. There are two families of essential fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6. Omega-9 is necessary yet "non-essential" because the body can manufacture a modest amount on its own, provided essential fatty acids are present. Every cell in our bodies depends on them for proper function and survival. Our bodies and our brain in particular, are to a degree made up of them. These essential fatty acids are responsible for a myriad of functions in the body. Many of us are deficient in these fatty acids especially Omega-3.

Essential fatty acids support: the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and nervous systems. The human body needs essential fatty acids to manufacture and repair cell membranes. A primary function is the production of prostaglandins, which regulate body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood clotting, fertility, conception, and play a role in immune function by regulating inflammation and encouraging the body to fight infection. Essential Fatty Acids are also needed for proper growth in children, particularly for neural development and maturation of sensory systems, with male children having higher needs than females. Foetuses and breast-fed infants also require an adequate supply of essential fatty acids through the mother's dietary intake.

Essential fatty deficiency: is common and is linked with health conditions, such as skin problems, hair loss, behavioural changes, failure to heal wounds, miscarriages, arthritic conditions, increased cholesterol, growth retardation, depression, dyslexia, impaired vision, learning problems in children, heart attacks, cancer, insulin resistance, asthma, lupus, schizophrenia, accelerated aging, stroke, obesity, diabetes, ADHD, and alzheimer's disease, among others.

• Fatty acids are responsible for transporting essential minerals around the body, so without them the body could be mineral deficient.
• Fatty acids increase the body's metabolic rate, (so, supplements of omegas are best not to be taken at night as this could upset your sleep).The process of the binding of oxygen to the haemoglobin requires essential fatty acids, which is carried in our red blood cells. So, when you have sufficient levels of fatty acids, it makes it easier to carry oxygen around the body thus giving you increased levels of energy and promotes good health. The lack of oxygen in our red blood cells will cause tiredness, lack of stamina and can promote cancer in our bodies.
• If fatty acids are lacking, the first place you will probably notice it will be in the skin, because the body will take it out of the skin and distribute it to the brain first, putting it into the organs that have more vital roles and are more life preserving. So if you suffer from dry skin or have skin problems you are probably likely to be lacking in essential fatty acids.
• Fatty acids act as a barrier and permeability of the skin, so without sufficient levels in the skin we would lose water very quickly; the body would be dehydrated. So for many people, for example, who have constipation, it may be linked to being deficient in fatty acids.
• Fatty acids play a key role in the neuron transmitters and receivers that send electrical impulses of information in the brain and body. The Myelin Sheath that covers all our neurons are essentially made up of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. So the lack of fatty acids in our diet will cause the break down of the Myelin Sheath and is linked to ADHD and learning difficulty in children and a contributory factor to diseases like motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Here are the essential fatty acids chain of the Omega family and how the body converts them and foods that contain them:

Omega-3 Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA): The richest dietary sources of LNA are: Flax seed oil (linseed oil) walnut oil and hemp oil. However for your body to absorb the omega-3 from LNA your body needs to convert it to omega-3 EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) And DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) to do this your body needs a good supply of nutrients: vitamins C, B3 and B6, magnesium, zinc and some enzymes.
Omega-3 EPA and DHA: can be directly found in omega-3 fish oils. The richest dietary sources are: salmon, herring, mackerel and oysters.

Omega-6 Linoleic Acid (LA): The richest dietary sources of LA are: sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil, and soybean oil. Again your body converts this to Omega-6 Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) by using nutrients: magnesium, zinc, vitamins C, B3 and B6.
Omega-6 GLA: (Gamma-Linolenic Acid) can be directly found in borage oil, evening primrose oil, blackcurrant seed oil and hemp oil.
Omega-6 DGLA: (Dihomogamma Linolenic Acid) is converted by the body from GLA, to do this your body needs a good supply of magnesium, zinc, B3, B6, and C.
Omega-6 DGLA: can be directly found in liver and other organ meats.
Omega-6 Arachidonic acid (AA): is another fatty acid found in the omega-6 chain and is converted from DGLA or can be directly found in egg yolks, meats and dairy products.

Omega-9 oleic acid: is found in cold pressed olive oil, canola oil, and sunflower oils.

Please note: that any seed or vegetable oils must be produced by cold pressing. Check labels on bottles for this. They must not be used in cooking as heating these oils will change the chemical structure and will change it into a trans fats which are extremely damaging to the body.

We at Purenewyou.com offer the following supplements:

• Neways: Omega-3 EPA and DHA Fish oil.
• Neways: EFA Recovery Plus. Which is blend of oils: Omega-3 LNA Flax oil, EPA, DHA Fish oils, Omega-6 LA safflower oil, Omega-6 GLA evening Primrose Oil,
• Neways: Max Plus For children from the ages 4 - 12 years. Which is packed with essential vitamins and mineral and fortified with EPA and DHA fish oils. An absolute must for kids.

Click here for link to these products 

High cholesterol: Those who follow a Mediterranean-style diet tend to have higher high density lipoprotein (HDL or "good" ) cholesterol levels. Similar to those who follow a Mediterranean diet, Inuit Eskimos, who consume high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish, also tend to have increased HDL cholesterol and decreased triglycerides (fatty material that circulates in the blood). In addition, fish oil supplements containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been reported in several large clinical studies to reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Finally, walnuts (which are rich in alpha linolenic acid or LNA) have been reported to lower total cholesterol and triglycerides in individuals with high cholesterol levels.

High blood pressure: Several clinical studies suggest that diets or supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids lower blood pressure significantly in individuals with hypertension. An analysis of 17 clinical studies using fish oil supplements found that supplementation with 3 or more grams of fish oil daily can lead to significant reductions in blood pressure in individuals with untreated hypertension.

Heart disease: One of the best ways to help prevent and treat heart disease is to eat a low-fat diet and to replace foods rich in saturated and trans-fat with those that are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (including omega-3 fatty acids). Clinical evidence suggests that EPA and DHA found in fish oil help reduce risk factors for heart disease including high cholesterol and high blood pressure. There is also strong evidence that these substances can help prevent and treat atherosclerosis by inhibiting the development of plaque and blood clots, each of which tends to clog arteries. Clinical studies of heart attack survivors have found that daily omega-3 fatty acid supplements dramatically reduce the risk of death, subsequent heart attacks, and stroke. Similarly, people who eat an LNA-rich diet are less likely to suffer a fatal heart attack.

Strong evidence from population-based clinical studies suggests that omega-3 fatty acid intake (primarily from fish) helps protect against stroke caused by plaque buildup and blood clots in the arteries that lead to the brain. A prospective study that followed more than 45,000 men for 14 years found that the risk of sudden cardiac death was about 40-50% lower in those who consumed an average of at least 250 mg/day of dietary Omega-3 EPA + DHA.

Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes tend to have high triglyceride and low HDL levels. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can help lower triglycerides and apoproteins (markers of diabetes), and raise HDL, so people with diabetes may benefit from eating foods or taking supplements that contain DHA and EPA. LNA (from flaxseed, for example) may not have the same benefit as DHA and EPA because some people with diabetes lack the ability to efficiently convert LNA to a form of omega-3 fatty acids that the body can use readily. There have been slight increases reported in fasting blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes while taking fish oil supplements.

Depression: People who do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids or do not maintain a healthy balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in their diet may be at an increased risk for depression. The omega-3 fatty acids are important components of nerve cell membranes. They help nerve cells communicate with each other, which is an essential step in maintaining good mental health. In particular, DHA is involved in a variety of nerve cell processes. Levels of omega-3 fatty acids were found to be measurably low and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids were particularly high in a clinical study of patients hospitalized for depression. In a clinical study of individuals with depression, those who ate a healthy diet consisting of fatty fish 2 - 3 times per week for 5 years experienced a significant reduction in feelings of depression and hostility.