EFAsAccording to D.F. Horrobin, MD, PhD, EFAs have at least four roles. First one is the modulation of membrane structure. The second is the formation of short-lived local regulating molecules such as prostaglandins (PDs) and leukotrienes (LT), together often known as eicosanoids. Third is the control of the permeability of other membranes such as the gastro-intestinal tract and the blood-brain barrier. The fourth is the regulation of the cholesterol transport and cholesterol synthesis. The membrane effects of the EFAs are possibly the most important.

When both animals and humans are put on diets efficient only in omega 6 EFAs, it is easy to show that they develop multiple biochemical and biological abnormalities. In contrast it has proved extremely difficult to demonstrate biological abnormalities in animals deprived only of omega 3 EFAs. There are abnormalities in the brain, the retina, the heart and platelets and the omega 3 EFAs are undoubtedly important in modulating the functions of these organs, but these abnormalities are not easy to demonstrate.

When animals are deprived of both omega 3 and omega 6 EFAs, all the readily observed abnormalities are quickly corrected by omega 6 EFAs alone. Omega 3 EFAs alone do not correct any of the abnormalities, and make some, such as the capillary fragility, worse. The omega 3 EFAs are of major biological significance but they are simply not as important as the omega 6 EFAs.

“Omega 6 PUFAs also have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that counteract any proinflammatory activity,” say the advisory authors. ‘It’s incorrect to view the omega 6 fatty acids as “proinflammatory.”

 

Mike Maunu – Founder
Oxygen4Life.com

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