What Is an Essential Fat?


You may have heard that essential fats are an important aspect to maintaining the health of your body. But what exactly are they?

Basically, there are two truly essential fatty acids, Linoleic and Linolenic. You may have heard of these referred to as Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids.

So, why are they called essential? The term essential in the life sciences refers to the fact that a nutrient cannot be synthesized by the body. Thus, you must have a dietary or supplemental source to supply your need for these acids.

You probably heard of the 8 essential amino acids. It's the same idea here but in this case we are referring to fatty acids rather than an amino acid.

These fatty acids exist in and are used in every cell of your body. So they are crucial to a cell's health and therefore to our health as people. The good news is that in North America, you generally get enough Omega -6 in your diet. Omega-3 has presented a question mark to researchers. Are we getting enough or not?

Fortunately, you can get Omega-3 from fish and certain nut oils. If you have any doubt at all, you can get Omega three from flax oil,which is in abundant supply at your local health food store.

Don't let the phrase essential fat or essential fatty acid fool you. These are not going to make you gain unwanted weight.

As those of us who truly understand weight loss and gain can tell you, the key to losing or gaining fat storage from your body centers around the bodies short term energy storage supply.

This article is for information purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease or condition. Consult your primary health care provider if you have or suspect you have any physical ailments.

Dave Snape is a health, fitness and wellness enthusiast. His website is http://tobeinformed.com







Related News



Vitamin Shoppe Launches New Online Community - MarketWatch

Vitamin Shoppe Launches New Online Community
MarketWatch -2 hours ago
"Since the boards launched in early August, topics that have been discussed include nutrition, dieting, health conditions, bodybuilding, and vitamins," ...

Don’t let rising food costs affect nutrition - NorthernLife.ca

Don’t let rising food costs affect nutrition
NorthernLife.ca, Canada -2 hours ago
(NC)-While food prices continue to rise, it is important to ensure that child nutrition and the healthy development of children remain a priority both at ...

Day Care Meal Provider Serves Up Nutrition and Education - MarketWatch

Day Care Meal Provider Serves Up Nutrition and Education
MarketWatch -22 hours ago
Each day's meal has at least one food item that is a good example of the nutritional value the lesson plan is describing, he said. "The meals really are now ...


County school board sends out nutrition bids - Lexington Dispatch

County school board sends out nutrition bids
Lexington Dispatch, NC -5 hours ago
By Deneesha Edwards Invitations for bids from the Davidson County Board of Education’s Child Nutrition Department were mailed out Wednesday, ...

Public input: School lunches not good eating - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Public input: School lunches not good eating
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA -2 hours ago
Brownies given the same nutritional value as a slice of whole-wheat bread. Federal nutrition programs are failing children and contributing to an epidemic ...

New tool helps schools track physical activity and nutrition policies - Leland Tribune

New tool helps schools track physical activity and nutrition policies
Leland Tribune, NC -2 hours ago
According to NC Nutrition and Physical Activity Surveillance System 2006, one in four 5- to 11-year-olds and nearly one in three 12- to 18-year-olds are ...

Chinese Professor Joins Herbalife's Nutrition Advisory Board - MarketWatch

Chinese Professor Joins Herbalife's Nutrition Advisory Board
MarketWatch -Aug 20, 2008
a global nutrition and direct selling company, announced that Dr. Linong Ji has joined the company's Nutrition Advisory Board. The nutrition advisory board ...

BioGaia Enters Agreement With Nestlé Nutrition - NPIcenter (press release)

BioGaia Enters Agreement With Nestlé Nutrition
NPIcenter (press release), Canada -4 hours ago
The company already has an agreement with Nestlé Nutrition in the area of healthcare nutrition. Nestlé Nutrition is the world leader in specialised ...

Planet Nutrition's Subsidiary IM & M Exercise Equipment Inc ... - CNNMoney.com

Planet Nutrition's Subsidiary IM & M Exercise Equipment Inc ...
CNNMoney.com -5 hours ago
Planet Nutrition's Subsidiary IM & M Exercise Equipment, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: PNHL) recently announced the completion of the CSU Football Strength and ...

INFINIT Nutrition raffling a free registration to the Suzuki 24 ... - PPOLNews (press release)

PPOLNews (press release)

INFINIT Nutrition raffling a free registration to the Suzuki 24 ...
PPOLNews (press release), NY -48 minutes ago
CHICAGO, IL - INFINIT Nutrition, the worldwide leader in customized sports nutrition, is raffling a free registration to the Suzuki 24 Hours of Moab ...