Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids, or EFAs are considered essential because the body cannot make them.  This means they must be obtained from our diet or through supplementation.  A healthy diet contains a balance of the two EFAs: omega-3s and omega-6s.  Omega-6s are fairly abundant in the typical American diet; however, the omega-3s are not.  It is the omega-3s that contain the fatty eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both of which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and are very important for heart health.  Additionally, omega-3s are responsible for the normal functioning & development of the brain, and critical for the healthy growth of the fetus in pregnant women.