Food Focus: Essential Fatty Acids

Food Focus: Essential Fatty Acids

In a previous post, Food Focus: Oils and Fats I wrote about Healthy Fats. This post focuses on Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s), which are an important component of a balanced nutrition plan. Here’s why:

  • They are necessary for building & protecting healthy cell membranes.
  • They surround your cells & keep water & nutrients inside while letting toxins & waste out.
  • They support the creation and maintenance of healthy skin cells. Healthy cells are plump, water filled cells with strong membranes.
  • When there’s not enough EFA’s in the system, the cells become weak. Weak skin cells can cause saggy skin, acne, dry skin.

The reason they are called Essential Fatty Acids is because they are essential for our health yet they are not produced by the body.

Examples of EFA’s are:

  • olive oil
  • walnuts
  • salmon & other wild fish
  • avocado
  • flax seed
  • coconut oil
  • organic grass-fed butter

Similar Posts

  • Food Focus: Raw Honey

    Raw Honey (This article previously appeared in the September edition of A Healthy You.) Everyone seems to love honey, one of the oldest natural sweeteners on the market. The flavor of honey varies depending on the plant source. Some are very dark and intensely flavored. Wherever possible, choose raw honey, as it is unrefined and…

  • |

    Food Focus and Recipe: Collard Greens

    Food Focus: Collard Greens Prep Time: 10 minutesCooking Time: 20-40 minutes (depending on cookware)Yield: 2-3 servingsIngredients 1 bunch of fresh collard greens (chopped)1 onion, thinly slicedfresh garlic (as much as you want)olive oilsoup broth (vegetable or chicken broth)salt & pepper to taste (we used smoke-seasoned salt)red chili flakes to tastetabasco to tasteDirectionsSauté minced garlic in olive oil…

  • Food Focus: Bananas

    Food Focus: Bananas As you probably already know, the fruit named banana is a high calorie tropical fruit. A serving of 100g of bananas (approx.  2/5 cup smashed bananas) contains around 90 calories. It is easy to digest and provides almost immediate energy due to its simple sugars like fructose and sucrose. It also contains…

  • Food Focus: Oils & Fats

    FOOD FOCUS: OILS AND FATS (This article appeared in the November, 2010 issue of A Healthy You.) Not all oils and fats are created equal. Heavily processed, hydrogenated, “trans” fats and oils that are used in prepared, packaged foods can be extremely damaging to the body. However, fats and oils from whole foods and other…

  • Food Focus: Lentils

    Food Focus: Lentils Lentils are legumes that are packed with nutrition. They are low in calories and high in fiber. Lentils also contain high levels of magnesium and folate, which are beneficial for heart health. Here are some good reasons to enjoy lentils on a regular basis: They are good for your heart. They are…

  • Food Focus: Onion

    Food Focus: Onion Onion: Onions (Allium cepa) belong to the lily family, the same family as garlic, chives, and shallots. Health Powers: Onion is effective against many bacteria including Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella, and E. coli. Onion extracts, rich in a variety of sulfides, provide some protection against tumor growth; and are used in relief treatment…