Omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids

While fatty acids in general are essential for human growth and survival, there are two specific compounds the body is unable to synthesise—therefore they must be obtained through the diet. The two essential fatty acids (EFAs) are linoleic acid and a-linolenic acid (18 3 03). 

EFAs are present in all the body s cells, and especially concentrated in the brain and central nervous system. Properties attributed to EFAs include regulation of cholesterol metabolism and inflammatory processes. Table 8.1 lists some of the main dietary sources of EFAs. The quality of these dietary sources depends not only on the levels of the essential fatty acids, but also on their ratios. Many vegetable oils contain moderate levels of saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid—they too provide therapeutic benefits. 

Sunflower seed Safflower seed Evening primrose Borage seed Hemp seed Blackcurrant seed Corn 

Fruits obtained from this species of palm are very rich in fats, including oleic, lauric, myristic, capric, palmitic, stearic (all saturated) and linoleic fatty acids as well as ethyl esters of these fatty acids. The lipophilic constituents also include numerous sterols, diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, carotenoids and high-molecular-weight alcohols (Winston 1999). Water-soluble polysaccharides with high molecular weights are also found in the seed, but not in the widely used liposterolic extracts. 

The lipophilic compounds from this herb, most notably lauric acid, inhibit the enzyme (5a-reductase) responsible for converting the male hormone testosterone to 5a-dihydrotestosterone, the metabolite associated with prostate enlargement. Clinical trials support the use of saw palmetto extracts in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) while its anti-androgenic properties may also assist in acne, female hirsutism and even baldness. Serenoa improves urine flow values, residual urine values and all other symptoms of BPH to a similar degree to standard drugs such as finasteride, without side effects such as decreased libido or modification of PSA values—the marker antigen for prostate cancer (Cristoni et al. 2000). 

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