Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
Supplement Forms (Omega 3):
- Alpha-linolenic (ALA) - flaxseed, soy, linseed oil,
chloroplasts
- Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) - salmon, herring, sardine,
mackerel, etc.
Labs (Omega 3):
- Fatty acid profile of serum lipids
Clinical Indications (Omega 3):
Physiologic Therapeutics (Omega 3 - EPA: 3 - 10 gms. in divided doses):
- Alters eicosanoid production
- Decreases blood cholesterol
- Decrease platelet aggregation
- Decreases triglycerides
- Enhances lymph function
- Increases exercise tolerance
- Increases HDL
- Precursor for series 3 prostaglandins (PGE 3)
- Suppresses division in cancer cell lines
Drug/Nutrient Interaction (Omega 3):
- Requires vitamin E and possibly other antioxidants when
ingesting large doses of EFAs
Adverse Reactions and Toxicity (Omega 3):
- Keep unsaturated oils in refrigerator
- May cause peroxidation damage in large doses if taken without
antioxidant supplementation
Supplement Forms (Omega 6):
- Linoleic - vegetable, nut, and seed oils and evening primrose
oil
- Gamma-linolenic (GLA) - breast milk, evening primrose, black
currant, and borage oils
Labs (Omega 6):
- Fatty acid profile of serum lipids
Clinical Indications (Omega 6):
Physiologic Therapeutics (Omega 6 - EPO: 2 - 4 gms.):
- Deceases blood cholesterol
- Decreases platelet aggregation
- GLA decreases growth of malignant cell lines in vitro
- PGE 1 decreases kidney damage in mice
- PGE 1 needed for T-lymphocyte function
- Precursor for series 1 prostaglandins (PGE 1)
Drug/Nutrient Interaction (Omega 6):
- Requires vitamin E and possibly other antioxidants when
ingesting large doses of EFAs
Adverse Reactions and Toxicity (Omega 6):
- Keep unsaturated oils in refrigerator
- May cause peroxidation damage in large doses if taken without
antioxidant supplementation
Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).