Effective Acne Treatment: Fatty Acids
Finding an effective acne treatment can be a difficult task. Many people rely on over the counter acne medications to combat the skin condition. Others believe that proper diet is the most effective acne treatment. Along with this second theory, consuming enough essential fatty acids is a very effective acne treatment. Fatty acids help control the production hormones which cause excess amounts of oil to clog pores and hair follicles. Thus, eating products high in fatty acids is an effective acne treatment for people of all ages.
The three major fatty acids are omega 3 oil, omega 6 oil, and omega 9 oil. These fatty acids should be consumed daily for effective acne treatment to occur. When the body lacks sufficient amounts of these fatty acids, it may cause an increase in the size of oil glands, the eruption of irreparable skin blemishes, as well as a weakened immune system.
There are long lists of foods that contain these fatty acids and, therefore, are essential for effective acne treatment. Salmon, avocados, sardines, different types of nuts and seeds are all high in the essential fatty acids needed for effective acne treatment.
Individuals who are allergic to nuts have other alternatives which are equally sufficient in fatty acids. Olive oil, olives, and dark green veggies, such as kale, spinach, mustard and collard greens, can also assist in effective acne treatment.
Thus, including these products which are rich in fatty acids could possibly be the most effective acne treatment there is.
How To Increase Your Intake Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for physical and mental well-being but the modern diet is often very deficient in omega 3 fatty acids with the balance between omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids being extremely high. In order to ensure good health it is therefore necessary to increase our intake of omega 3 fatty acids and this can be done by eating foods with omega 3 fatty acids in them.
One of the most well known foods with omega 3 fatty acids is fatty fish. Fatty fish such as sardines, salmon, trout and herring contain relatively high concentrations of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and many studies have been done to show the benefits a diet high in these fish can have on various diseases and disorders. To improve health or to treat omega 3 fatty acid deficiency two to three meals a week containing these fish is recommended. You may also use fish oil supplements to help boost your intake of omega 3 fatty acids.
Seeds and nuts are also good sources of essential fatty acids but unfortunately do not contain the right balance in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. However to boost your intake of omega 3 fatty acids flax is recommended as flaxseed oil. Flaxseed oil is often considered an alternative to fish oil supplements for those who would prefer not to take fish oil however it does not contain omega 6 fatty acids.
Green vegetables contain a small amount of good fatty acids such as omega 3 but are not significantly helpful if used alone to boost intake of omega 3 fatty acids as you would need to eat too many vegetables to get a reasonable amount of fatty acids and so they need to be used in conjunction with other foods with omega 3 fatty acids.
Another food with omega 3 fatty acids is the New Zealand green lipped mussel. This often comes as a supplement though in powder or lipid extract form. The lipid extract is the one recommended as it is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
In our modern day diet we are not achieving a correct balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and it is therefore necessary to balance our diet with omega 3 fatty acids. Foods with omega 3 fatty acids are an excellent way to boost your intake of omega 3 fatty acids as are fish oil supplements or supplements made from the New Zealand green lipped mussel.
Vitamins That Improve Fertility
There are no single magic supplement you can take to improve your fertility, but there are some important vitamins and trace substances that you can add to your diet to improve your chances of conceiving. There are a vast selection of supplements on the market and it can be difficult to know which ones to chose. As a rule of thumb, natural foods are better than pills. Have an orange instead of a vitamin C pill. There are many other positive side effects from healthy food so it is definitively worth is. In this article we present a short list of the most important vitamins and nutrients to improve your fertility.
Calcium
In preparation for the pregnancy it is important to build up your reserves of calcium. Calcium helps raising the pH in your body, which is good for the sperm and the fertilized egg, as well as other beneficial health effects. The best source of calcium is raw diary products, green leaf vegetables and almond. One glass of raw milk contains 900 mg calcium.
While in general it is easier for the body to take up calcium from food there are also a large number of supplements containing calcium that can also be recommended. Try a supplement made from crushed sea shells. A woman trying to improve her fertility should get at least 1000 mg calcium per day.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that is essential for fertility. It is of special importance as it
* help the formation of healthy sperm
* keeps testicles healthy
* increases the sperm count
The best source of zinc is oysters, but that doesn’t mean you have to start eating oysters every day; there are plenty of alternatives available in form of supplements. Recommended daily intake is 15 mg.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is important both for the male and the female fertility. For women vitamin C has the following effect:
* improves the hormonal balance
* help ovulation
* improves immune system
* helps the body to take up iron
For men vitamin C helps to
* improve the mobility of the sperm
The daily dose of 750-1000 mg vitamin C you preferably get from fresh fruit and berries such as oranges, lemon, strawberries and vegetables such as pepper and spinach which are all rich in vitamin C.
This being said, don’t overdose vitamin C as this can lead to a lower pH in the body, something which negatively affect both egg and sperm.
Vitamin E
In women, vitamin E is important for
* the endocrine system
* absorption of essential fatty acids that in turn is needed for the formation of important hormones
In men it is responsible for
* good production of sperm and hormones
* protects sperm from mutations
The best source of vitamin E is dark leaf vegetables, liver, sunflower oil and pumpkin seed.Iron
Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen in the blood and also helps balancing the ovulation. A study showed that 40% of women with ovulatory problems became fertile after extra intake of iron.
The best source of iron is food based supplements, as synthetic supplements often result in constipation.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is important for the body to be able to absorb proteins, minerals and other vitamins. Vitamin A is found in for example cod liver oil. The recommended daily intake is 5000-10000 IU. Pregnant women must be careful though, as too much vitamin A may hurt the growing fetus.
Folic acid
Aloe Vera Products
Aloe vera products contain extracts of the aloe plant and is used in food, drinks and also for medicinal purposes in alternative remedies.
Aloe vera is often used to treat skin conditions including sunburns, acne and dry skin, especially in areas that are sensitive such as the face. The sap derived from Aloe vera is also known to reduce inflammation which promotes wound healing and is therefore useful in treating burns, wounds and recently it has been found to have a positive effect on Athlete’s foot. There are also Aloe Vera drinks available which can help to treat ulcers of the stomach with many yogurt and drinks manufacturers adding it to their products. Many countries have used Aloe Vera products in their food for generations due to its high nutrient content.
The active ingredient in Aloe Vera products are their amono acids and mucopolysaccharide protein cores which are an important part of connective tissue such as body joints, tendons and cartilage.
The sap from the plant can be obtained by cutting open the lower part of the leaf and the gel can then be directly applied to the skin. However, care needs to be taken to avoid contaminating the aloe vera sap with aloe vera latex which is yellow in colour and irritating to the skin. The sap used should be clear, odorless and tasteless and if not then it is not suitable for application to the skin or for ingestion.
There are few side effects of taking aloe vera products internally, although overconsumption has been reported to cause intestinal cramps.
Essential And Nonessential Fatty Acids Functions
Both essential and nonessential fatty acids are very important for a person to function at their best physically and mentally. They play a very important role in the development of brain functions. Not getting enough essential and nonessential fatty acids can lead to various disorders including attention deficit, depression, and mental disorders. Studies show children who receive supplements of essential and nonessential fatty acids have higher IQ’s.
They also contribute to keeping your heart healthy. Those who get enough essential Omega 3 fatty acids have a lower chance of suffering from heart disease, high cholesterol, or high Triglyceride levels. They also don’t have to worry about plaque or clots building up. Both essential and nonessential fatty acids work to reduce inflammation for those who suffer from arthritis and Psoriasis.
Two very important nonessential fatty acids are EPA and DHA as together they provide more benefits than any other fatty acid including ALA. For most people their body is able to convert ALA into both EPA and DHA. Most diabetics are not able to though and they have to take EPA and DHA supplements. You can get all the essential Omega 3 fatty acids you need by consuming fatty fish, flax seeds, or a supplement of either fish oil or flax seed oil. You can also add various foods to your diet including walnuts and dark green, leafy vegetables.
Everyone should try to get enough essential and nonessential fatty acids added to their diet on a daily basis to help maintain their physical and mental well being. This is also a sure way to lower your risk of heart disease, mental health issues, and inflammation. Most healthy individuals are able to easily break down essential fatty acids (ALA) into nonessential fatty acids (EPA and DHA). However, some people are not able to – especially those who suffer from diabetes. The best sources for getting more essential and nonessential fatty acids added to your diet are fatty fish, flax seed, fish oil supplements, flax oil supplements, walnuts, and green leafy vegetables.
Essential Fatty Acids and ADHD
Recently, there’s been a lot of talk about the function of fatty acids in health. Just to clear things up a little, I would like to talk about what fatty acids are and what role they play in our health.
Fats are made up of several different classes of fatty acids. Three types of fatty acids occur naturally.
The first class is the saturated fatty acids, which can be divided further into short, medium, and long-chain fatty acids. The second class is the monounsaturated fatty acids. The third class is the polyunsaturated fatty acids.
There is a fourth class called trans-fatty acids, which for the most part do not occur in nature. These are unsaturated fatty acids that have been chemically altered by food manufacturers in order to increase the shelf life of fat-containing products. This is what is produced when the manufacturer makes partially hydrogenated oils.
Trans-fatty acids are shaped differently than their natural counterparts. This means that when the body incorporates them into body structures, they change the shape of that structure and do not function as well as their natural counterpart.
In the last forty years, there has been a tremendous amount of misinformation published about the role of fats in health. It is impossible to go over all the information at this time. To summarize briefly, probably everything you have ever heard about the dangers of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol is completely wrong.
However, almost all of the ills that have been attributed to saturated fat and dietary cholesterol are in fact caused by dietary trans-fatty acids. Sure this is a sweeping generalization. Unfortunately, this is a surprisingly accurate picture.
How did all this misinformation happen?
It is actually a result of a very successful 40-year marketing campaign conducted by the commercial food industry. Lest you get the impression that I am a bleeding-heart liberal anti-establishment organic vegetarian health food fanatic freak (when actually I am not even a registered Democrat), you have to understand what happened.
If you check the processed foods in your house, you will find that almost all of them contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. The commercial food industry runs on partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. They do this because these oils do not go bad.
Regular vegetable oil goes bad very quickly. However, hydrogenated vegetable oil doesn’t go bad. Therefore, in order to give processed foods a long shelf life, the food industry uses hydrogenated vegetable oil. Without them, most foods would have a shelf life of only a few days.
How did the industry go about promoting the use of hydrogenated vegetable oils?
When these oils first came out there were a few initial favorable studies that also condemned the evils of saturated fats. Armed with these studies, the commercial oil industry launched a campaign to promote vegetable oils as healthy.
The results were that saturated fats from animals and cholesterol were identified as bad while polyunsaturated oils were marked good. The partial hydrogenation/trans-fatty acid issue was swept under the table.
Now, forty years later, with the increase of obesity and chronic disease, we are beginning to realize that the real culprit is the trans-fatty acids provided by the commercial food industry.
Essential Fatty Acids
There are two essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. They are classified as omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, respectively. The body needs these fatty acids, but is unable to manufacture them. They can only be obtained through diet.
The minimum amount of linoleic acid thought to be required is 2-3% of the daily caloric intake. The minimum amount of alpha-linolenic acid required is .5-1.5% of the daily caloric intake.
There are other conditionally essential fatty acids that the body can make. However, there are a number of interfering factors, such as foods, health conditions or genetic dispositions, which make these fatty acids dietary essentials for some people.
The conditionally essential fatty acids include gamma-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid.
Essential and conditionally essential fatty acids play a vital role in the body. They are chemical precursors to a number of hormone regulators, called prostaglandins. These, along with other fats, make up the structural matrix of every cell in the body.
Cell membranes are made primarily of lipids. Dietary fat is essential for proper absorption of certain vitamins and other nutrients.
Fatty acids are a structural component of all brain cells, the blood-brain barrier, and the myelin sheath that wraps around nerves. All cell membranes, including nerve cell membranes, are composed of phospholipids, which contain large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Fatty acids help with nerve transmission. They are necessary for proper growth and are the basic building blocks of the prostaglandins that are essential for normal brain function. The brain is 25% fat. Much of this fat is in the form of essential fatty acids.
Essential Fatty Acid Deficiencies
So, why do we need to know all this? It is important to realize that the average person is deficient in essential fatty acids.
It is also known that there is a relationship between brain function, mental health, and fatty acid intake. Depression is clearly related to fatty acid deficiencies. Low cholesterol is a risk factor for suicide.
Since fatty acid deficiency plays a significant role in other psychiatric conditions, it was thought that it might be involved in ADHD.
There is good reason to suspect this. Symptoms of fatty acid deficiency include eczema, dry skin, asthma, thirst, frequent urination, and allergies. It just so happens that all of these symptoms are common in ADHD children. Also, males need more fatty acids than females. There is a 3:1 male to female ratio in ADHD.
Therefore, it was thought there might be a relationship between fatty acid deficiency and ADHD. Many studies have been conducted, and the results do show that there is such a relationship in certain areas of ADHD children.
Studies show that children who have deficiencies in omega-3 have more behavioral, learning, and health problems than do normal children. It is interesting to note that children with low levels of omega-6 fatty acids do not have these problems. They do, however, have more colds and used antibiotic more frequently than their normal peers.
Does Giving Essential Fatty Acid Supplements Help in ADHD?
This really is the question. Can we use essential fatty acids to treat our ADHD children? This question has been studied extensively.
Though there is some disagreement among researchers the bulk of the evidence seems to indicate that fatty acid supplementation will not help relieve ADHD.
Does that mean that you should not give your ADHD child essential fatty acids supplements?
It depends. If your child has any of the symptoms of fatty acid deficiency, such as eczema, dry skin, asthma, thirst, frequent urination, or allergies then I think it is worth a try.
You may not see a big improvement in his ADHD, but you probably will see significant improvement in his other symptoms, particularly eczema and asthma. You certainly will not harm your ADHD child, or for that matter your other children, by giving extra essential fatty acids.
One thing I would stress is that you do not try to limit your child’s dietary intake of healthy fats.
Remember what I wrote earlier about trans-fatty acids and hydrogenated oils. Your children should avoid them and you should avoid them.
You should feed your children enough of eggs and give them whole milk rather than skim to drink. Even though there has been a lot of bad press about saturated fat and cholesterol in these products, it is becoming clear that most of this information was incorrect.
Your child needs healthy fats for the proper development of his brain. You should make sure he gets what he needs.
Conclusion
There are numerous other nutritional modalities that do make a difference both in ADHD and in general health.
As I said earlier, I am unable to deal adequately with the other nutritional modalities that would help so many children with ADHD. You should realize, however, ADHD children suffer from nutritional deficiencies more than other children, and it is likely that these deficiencies have a lot to do with why they have ADHD.
The Relationship Between Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Heart
Omega 3 fatty acids and heart are closely related to each other. Omega 3 fats like DHA and EPA reduce triglyceride levels in the body, control bad cholesterol and high blood pressure and therefore they prevent cardiovascular disease and sudden cardiac arrest.
People all over the world have recognized the importance of these fats in promoting heart health. Fish oil is the richest known source of these fats and people consume fish oil capsules on a regular basis to obtain adequate amounts of omega 3 fats.
It has been found that people who eat fish regularly are at reduced risk of developing coronary heart disease and other problems related to the heart. They are overall fit and healthy. Fish is considered as one of the most healthful sources of this and many other nutrients.
Doctors also advise people with heart problems to increase their intake of these essential fatty acids. They have recognized the connection between these acids and heart problems. Many people have benefited from the effectiveness of omega 3 rich foods and fish oil capsules and have cured their age-old problems related to the heart.
DHA and EPA are also good for many other things. They are required for proper development of the brain and the eyes, for reducing inflammation throughout the body, and are also good for skin problems. People who have used fish oil pills in skin problems like acne and pock marks they have reported back that their problem was completely solved and now their skin is 100% clear.
DHA and EPA are required for infant nutrition and should be consumed in adequate amounts by pregnant and lactating women. Normally 300 to 400 mg of omega 3 fats consumption on a daily basis is enough but you can increase or decrease this dosage depending on your overall health and severity of omega 3 deficiency in your body.
The importance of it cannot be neglected or overlooked. It’s a known fact that we all need good fats, also known as polyunsaturated fats, to develop a strong immune system and to live a healthy and fruitful life.
To fulfill these requirements, supplements can be consumed on a regular basis. They are good for the heart and they also prevent and cure illnesses related to mental health like depression and anxiety.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Protect Against Parkinson’s Disease
Omega 3 fatty acids have been prescribed for some time now to treat a long series of diseases, and they are especially effective in protecting the circulatory system and the brain and the nervous system. Recent medical findings show that consuming regularly omega 3 fats helps reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. A rich diet in these essential fats is very important to protect the brain against many medical conditions.
Parkinson’s disease is caused by the progressive death of the neurons responsible for producing dopamine, a neurotransmitter closely linked with movement control. The disease is usually diagnosed when 50 to 80% of these neurons are already dead, and there is currently no medication to stop that process.
Researchers carried a test on lab mice and observed that mice were fed an omega-3 rich diet, they seemed immune to the effect of MPTP, a toxic compound that causes the same damage to the brain as Parkinson’s. Another group of mice that were fed an ordinary diet developed the characteristic symptoms of the disease when injected with MPTP.
The study confirmed that omega 3 acids, especially DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) had replaced the omega-6 fatty acids already present in the brains of the mice that had been given omega-3 supplementation and improved the brain’s protection. These findings underline both the importance of the diet on the brain’s fatty acid composition and the brain’s natural inclination for omega-3 fatty acids.
The concentrations of other types of omega-3’s had remained similar in both groups of mice, researchers suggest that the protective effect against Parkinson’s comes essentially from DHA.
Another conclusion medics drew is that a brain containing a lot of omega-6 fatty acids may be a fertile ground for Parkinson’s disease. These fatty acids, abundant in foods rich in either vegetable oil or animal fat, were believed they had a role in the body’s inflammatory response, cardiac disease, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease.
The improper balance between the amount of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids is responsible for these problems. In the US, the average intake of DHA is between 60 to 80 mg a day, while experts recommend a daily minimum of 250 mg.
Scientists now believe that they can make more efficient drugs to treat or to ameliorate the symptoms related to Parkinson’s disease and they recommend increasing the amount of omega 3 rich aliments in our diet.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids And Their Role In Fighting Acne
The benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in protecting the heart and the nervous system have been known for some time now. Doctors have been prescribing their patients omega 3 supplements to treat multiple medical conditions: arthritis, mental conditions (ADHD, depression), or problems of the circulatory system. Being one of the main elements of cellular membrane, omega 3 fats also have a general positive effect on the human body and scientists are trying to find new roles for the essential fats.
Recent studies have shown that omega 3 extracted from fish oil could help in the treatment of acne by alleviating some of the inflammation associated with acne. It also inhibits the process that leads to the overproduction of sebum. If too much sebum is produced, pores can become blocked leading to a build up of bacteria, infection, and finally to a breakout of acne.
This contains three fatty acids: ALA (±-linolenic acid), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Among these, EPA helps increase the level of anti-inflammatory Prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone like substances that are found in every cell in the body.
A study has shown that the production of leukotriene B4 (a prostaglandin that has a inflammatory action), could be a contributory factor to developing acne. A diet too rich in Omega 6 and in the same time, deficient in Omega 3, can lead to the over production of leukotriene B4. Medics concluded that increasing the consumption of the fatty acids could help to re-make this imbalance.
Another benefit omega 3 acids have in fighting acne is that these fatty acids also help to keep the production of androgens under control. Androgens are hormones that influence sebum production and are particularly active during adolescence, which is possibly why many teenagers suffer from acne. So, their recommendation is to increase the amount of these oils.
But, adding these fats through diet can be difficult sometimes, especially in winter, when green vegetables are harder to find. At the same time, fish are some of the richest sources of omega 3 fatty acids, but most fish live in polluted waters. Mounting concern over the amount of toxins in our fresh fish means that the current recommendation is to eat only 1 or 2 portions of oily fish a week but no more.
Taking omega 3 supplements is highly recommended to ensure the proper amounts of EPA, as the fish is purified before using it to obtain the fatty acids.
Eggs Contain Essential Fatty Acids
Enriched eggs offer a great source of fatty acids that you can add to your diet. These eggs are from chickens who roam freely and they have been fed flax seed and fish oil so they their eggs are higher in essential fatty acids than those you get from other chickens. According to the information at www.eggs.ca., chickens that are fed 10% flax have levels of Omega 3 and Omega 6 that are ten times higher than normal chicken eggs. These eggs offer you plenty of essential fatty acids while having less cholesterol, less monounsaturated fatty acids, and less saturated fat.
Eating eggs that offer high amounts of fatty acids will help you feel better physically and mentally because these fatty acids are necessary for your body and brain to function normally. You will also reduce your chances of suffering from heart disease, stroke, depression, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and a variety of other diseases. In addition, Omega 3 is known to make individuals feel more alert and concentrate better. This is true for children who suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder as well.
The chickens who consume flax seed containing the essential Omega 3 fatty acid ALA break it down into EPA and DHA. The eggs they produce also contain plenty of these two fatty acids. This is important for those who have diabetes because they aren’t able to convert Omega 3 fatty acids into EPA and DHA. A book The Novel Egg: Opportunities for Flax in Omega 3 Egg Production, says that Omega 3 enriched eggs offer you an average of .34 grams of ALA and .13 grams of EPA and DHA. There for they offer a significant level of fatty acids for people of all ages. Children under 3 can eat one egg and get 49% of their daily required fatty acids. Boys and men need to eat 3 eggs to get 1/4 of their daily intake while girls and women need to eat 3 eggs to get 1/3 of their daily intake.
Essential fatty acids are necessary for physical and mental well being. Eggs can be a great source of such fatty acids. They can help protect you from various diseases including heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, and ttention deficit. They are also great for diabetics who can’t change ALA into EPA and DHA.