What do essential Fatty Acids do for you?

What do essential Fatty Acids do for you?

Both plants and animals can make fats, using building blocks known as fatty acids. The fatty acids we humans can make are called nonessential fatty acids because we don’t have to get them from the food we eat. However, there are certain fatty acids that we cannot make ourselves, but which are essential to health. These are called the essential fatty acids.

Each of the body’s cells depends on the essential fatty acids for normal functioning. The cell is a tiny factory, taking in raw materials from the surrounding fluid and sending out various chemicals. Everything going into or coming out of the cell has to pass through the cell’s outer surface it’s membrane. The membrane depends on essential fatty acids to remain fluid and flexible. Without them, the membrane becomes stiff and unable to do its job.

Since essential fatty acids are needed by all cells, eating diets deficient in these important nutrients can result ina wide variety of disorders, including:

* Skin problems, such as itching, flaking, peeling, adn hair loss

* Headache, fatigue, restlessness, confusion, and general weakness

* Easy bruising, pain, inflammation, and swelling of joints

* Infertility, spontaneous abortion, and kidney problems