ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (OMEGA 3 AND OMEGA 6 COMPOUNDS)
The word "essential" in describing these means that the body cannot produce them so they must be consumed in our diet. Essential fatty acids are either Omega-3 oils or Omega-6 oils. Sources of Omega-3 are cod liver oil, fish oils, flax oil, flaxseed or leafy green vegetables. Some nuts also contain Omega-3's (walnuts). Omega-6 sources are corn oil, wheat germ oil, soy oil, borage oil, ev...
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (OMEGA 3 AND OMEGA 6 COMPOUNDS)
The word "essential" in describing these means that the body cannot produce them so they must be consumed in our diet. Essential fatty acids are either Omega-3 oils or Omega-6 oils. Sources of Omega-3 are cod liver oil, fish oils, flax oil, flaxseed or leafy green vegetables. Some nuts also contain Omega-3's (walnuts). Omega-6 sources are corn oil, wheat germ oil, soy oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil, blackcurrent oil plus many of the other grocery store bought cooking oils. Almost all processed foods are very high in Omega-6's. Essential fatty acids play critical roles in body structure and function, in fact life cannot be sustained without them. Some are transformed to regulating compounds called prostaglandins in the body and these prostaglandins along with essential fatty acids are responsible for supporting the critical body functions listed below:
• Nerve transmission
• Pressure regulation in the eye, joints and blood vessels
• Division of cells (growth and healing processes)
• Response to pain, swelling and inflammation
• Muscle reflexes
• Transporting of oxygen from cells to tissues
• Maintaining health of cell membranes
• Supporting immune response
• Providing energy to the heart muscle
Essential fatty acids are often called by their chemical names. Omega-3 compounds are:
• EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
• DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
• alpha-linolenic acid
• alpha-linoleic acid
Omega-6 compounds are:
• linoleic acid
• gamma-linoleic acid
• gamma-linolenic acid
• arachidonic acid
THE BALANCE OF OMEGA-3 and OMEGA-6 ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
The latest scientific research has supported the view that essential fatty acids need to be in equillibrium in our diet. Omega-3 and Omega-6 consumption should be balanced. It is generally recommended that Omega-6 consumption should be about 4 times as much as Omega-3. In addition, it is recommended by the medical community that saturated fat consumption should be limited. Saturated fats are found in butter, margarine and lard. All Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated.
Unfortunately, our normal diets do not achieve those recommended balances. Most North American and Western diets are very low in Omega-3 and extremely high in Omega-6. Too many saturated fats are consumed and the ratio of ingested EFA's averages more like 20:1 Omega-6's to Omega-3's instead of the recommended 4:1. This is due to the fact that poor quality cooking oils and most processed foods contain Omega-6 oils. In addition, the overall consumption of Omega-3 rich foods is often very low. Omega-3 containing foods are fish, fish oils, flax, flax-fed chicken eggs, wheat germ, soybeans, green leafy vegetables and certain nuts (walnuts and butternuts). Getting compliance with fish oil Omega-3 type products is extremely difficult especially in children. In some individuals, Omega-3 consumption is totally lacking.
Kirkman offers many different choices for essential fatty acid supplementation, from stabilized flaxseed to a variety of fish oil products. Cod Liver Oil is also a source of Omega 3's, so also see that section in this catalog as well. A description of Kirkman's essential fatty acid supplements follows
COROMEGA™
Kirkman Laboratories is now an official distributor for Coromega™ , an Omega-3 Dietary supplement. Coromega™ is a revolutionary new product that provides all the excellent benefits of fish oil with no fishy taste or aftertaste. It is the result of ten years of research and development and is patented worldwide. Coromega™ is a tasty, fresh natural orange flavored, pudding-like emulsion that comes in handy, individual dose, oxidation resistant squeeze-pack foil pouches.
For decades, fish oil has been recognized as a great way of supplementing Omega-3 fatty acids to the diet. Unfortunately, fish oil has been difficult to administer to children who can't swallow large capsules. Also, fishy burps made it unpleasant and objectionable. Coromega$trade; solves these problems. Adults and kids love it. Take it right out of the package or put it in juice, pudding, applesauce or any other vehicle which an individual enjoys.
Coromega™ is an advanced essential fatty acid formula that delivers 650 mg. of Omega-3 (similar to a small serving of salmon), including 350 mg. of EPA and 230 mg. of DHA.
Coromega™ contains 650 mg. of Omega-3 fatty acids per individual serving. There are 28 servings per box. Kirkman is proud to be a distributor of this revolutionary product. For further information on this product, contact the Coromega$trade; website at www.coromega.com.
