Our bodies cannot make essential fatty acids. Therefore, all sources must be provided by our diet.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are required to build cell membranes and make hormones. They are an incredibly important part of our immune system.
The safest dietary sources of EFAs are olive oil, peanut oil, and avocado oil. They occur naturally in the fats of fish, eggs and poultry and in the oils of fresh, raw almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds and pecans.
Polyunsaturated vegetable oils like safflower, sunflower, soy, corn, and sesame oils should be avoided, regardless of how naturally they were processed. They are chemically unstable and can break down in the body to produce excess levels of free radicals, which are causative factors in heart disease and cancer. Most especially, deep fried foods and rancid fats and oils of all kinds should be avoided.
Organic flaxseed oil makes an excellent EFA supplement, especially if it is sealed in dark gelatin capsules so that it is never exposed to the air. One to three capsules daily are all that most people may require.
If you do indulge in deep fried foods more than you should, taking EFAs will help because the good fat will displace the bad in the body. Our bodies knows what it likes and needs.
Find out if you have a fatty acid deficiency by taking my holistic health assessment.