What are Fatty Acids?
Every single function of the body, right down to the beating of your heart, depends on the presence of the right fats and fatty acids in cell membranes.
Fat - essential for life
Fat comes in good and bad forms, and too much fat in your diet can contribute to obesity. However, too little fat can also be very bad for you, particularly if you're very young - and too little of the essential Long Chain Polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) could contribute to a variety of health issues:
- Reduced learning ability
- Slower development
- Hormonal imbalance
- Dry skin
- Inflammatory diseases.
The science...
There are two 'families' of essential fatty acids, the omega-6 and omega-3 series, the 'parents' of which are an essential component of a healthy diet as they cannot be produced by our bodies:
- Linoleic acid (LA) is the parent fatty acid of the omega-6 family and is commonly found in vegetable oils such as corn oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil and soya oil.
- Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the parent of the omega-3 family and predominantly comes from green leafy vegetables and some vegetable oils (flax, rape and soya), while the longer chain members of the omega-3 series are predominantly found in fish and fish oils.
These essential fatty acids are converted in the body by enzymes into Long Chain Polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs). The four most important LCPUFAs needed by the body are:
- Gamma-linolenic Acid (GLA)
- Arachidonic Acid (AA)
- Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA)
- Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
Why we need to take fatty acid supplements
Unfortunately, the body's conversion of essential fatty acids to LCPUFAs is an inefficient process, especially in the very young and old and during times of stress or illness However, the biggest contributing factor towards an LCPUFA deficiency is the modern diet:
- An increase in vegetable oil consumption has resulted in harmful levels of omega-6 fatty acids in the diet.
- An increase in vegetarianism has resulted in an excess of omega-6 fatty acids, while strict vegetarian diets provide no DHA, EPA or AA.
- An increase in hydrogenated fats in processed foods has increased trans fatty acid consumption.
- Low fish consumption leads to low intakes of the vital LCPUFAs DHA and EPA
- Farmed fish and meat from cattle fattened on cereals rather than grass have less omega-3 LCPUFAs than before
- Over the years, breast milk composition has changed and mother's milk now has less DHA and more omega-6 fatty acids
The importance of Evening Primrose Oil
The impaired conversion of the parent essential fatty acids means their LCPUFA derivatives GLA, EPA, DHA and AA need to be supplied pre-formed in the diet, and many years of research have pointed to Evening Primrose Oil as the most reliable source of GLA.
Features
- 500mg capsule - clear oval soft gelatine capsules
- Efamol Pure Evening Primrose Oil contains 33% more Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) than most other evening primrose oils
- Marine fish oil rich in Omega-3 nutrients EPA and DHA.
- This product is free from sodium, sugar, starch, gluten, wheat, yeast, dairy, artificial colours and preservatives
- With vitamin E
Suggested daily intake Two capsules per day with food/ Taking this product for the first time
Two capsules up to four times daily for the first 12 weeks to help optimise the body's stores of essential fatty acids. After this time a lower intake is sufficient to maintain the body's levels.
| Nutrition Information |
Per 2 Capsules |
% RDA* |
 |
| Efamol Pure Evening Primrose Oil |
720mg |
** |
| Gamma Linolenic Acid |
80mg |
** |
| Marine Fish Oil |
268mg |
** |
| of which: |
|
|
| Eiscosapentaenoic Acid |
40mg |
** |
| Docosahexaenoic Acid |
28mg |
** |
| Vitamin E |
10mg |
100 |
* EC Recommended Daily Allowance
** No RDA Established
Ingredients
Pure Evening Primrose Oil, capsule shell (gelatin, glycerine), Marine Fish Oil, vitamin E (as dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate)
Benefits
Efamarine is specially formulated to help in three ways;
- To supply Marine Fish oils, which are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These "good fats" play an important role in maintaining a heart health, good circulation and joint mobility, especially as we get older.
- To supply GLA, which helps in the production of prostaglandin, chemical messengers that help to regulate many of the body's processes including the manufacture of anti-inflammatory chemicals for joint health.
- To supply vitamin E, which has important antioxidant properties and may also help maintain cardiovascular health.
Providing nutrients to help maintain supple joints and a healthy heart.
Efamarine has been specially formulated to provide the important Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in the optimum ratio. Prostaglandins are chemical messengers that play a role in the body's action against inflammation. As levels of prostaglandin E1 drop, levels of the pro-inflammatory E2 rise. Efamarine's high levels of GLA mean the body may create more E1, reducing inflammation. The unique balance of fatty acids in Efamarine also help to inhibit the production of cholesterol. Efamarine is a convenient nutritional supplement that can be a useful addition to a healthy balanced diet, helping to safeguard the intake of these important nutrients.
Precautions
Whilst Efamarine is generally regarded as safe to take with medicines, anyone under medical supervision, or taking medication, should consult their doctor before taking a supplement. This product should not be used in children under 2 years of age. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet
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