Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) include linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3).  These fatty acids are not produced by our bodies, but our bodies need and use them to make other fatty acids, which is why they are referred to as "essential".¹

What it does in the body
EFAs are necessary for the formation of healthy cell membranes, the proper development and functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the production of hormone-like substances called eicosanoids.  These chemicals regulate numerous body functions including blood pressure, blood viscosity, vasoconstriction, immune and inflammatory responses. EFAs are involved in oxygen and electron transport, as well as in the process of oxidation - the `burning' of food to produce the energy required for life processes. By regulating such body functions, essential fatty acids help in the prevention of many chronic degenerative diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and strokes.²

It is estimated that 80 per cent of Canadians consume an insufficient quantity of EFAs. Symptoms of deficiency can include fatigue, dry skin, cracked nails, sore joints, constipation, lack of endurance, and frequent colds.

Food Sources

• EFAs can be found in fish and shellfish, flaxseed (linseed), hemp oil, soya oil, canola (rapeseed) oil, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, leafy vegetables and walnuts.³

Recommended Dietary Allowance

• Many factors, including stress, allergies, disease, and a diet high in fried foods, can increase the body's nutritional need for essential fatty acids. RDA for omega-3 ranges from 1.1g - 1.6g and for omega-6 from 10-17g is suggested.⁴

Orthomolecular Dosage Range: Somewhat higher than RDA levels.

• Depending on patient circumstances, may be very much higher.

"Controlled trials have shown that patients taking fish oil (for its omega-3 fatty acids) experience considerable lipid-modifying benefits that include decreases of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and thromboxane B2, and an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The subjects in the fish oil groups also had fewer incidences of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). These studies demonstrate that fish oil supplementation has anti-arrhythmic effects and can reduce the incidence of fatal heart attack and sudden cardiac death.⁵ In a meta-analysis of fish oil supplementation, the results of eleven clinical trials showed a dramatic 32 percent reduction in cardiac mortality (deaths due to heart diseases) and a 23 percent reduction in overall mortality among individuals ingesting therapeutic amounts of fish oils."⁶

References:
¹  Burr, G.O., Burr, M.M. and Miller, E. (1930). "On the nature and role of the fatty acids essential in nutrition". J. Biol. Chem. 86 (587). Retrieved on 2007-01-17.
2  Ibid.
³  Ibid.
⁴  Ibid.

(From: Hoffer A and Saul AW. Orthomolecular Medicine for Everyone, Basic Health Publications, 2008.)

⁵    Jacobson, T.A. "Secondary Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease with Omega-3 Fatty Acids." J. Cardiol 98:4A (August 2006): 61i-70i. Lee, K.W., A. Hamaad, R.J. MacFadyen, et al. "Effects of Dietary Fat Intake in Sudden Death: Reduction of Death with Omega-3 Fatty Acids." Curr Cardiol Rep 6:5 (September 2004): 371-378. Richter, W.O. "Long-chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids from Fish Reduce Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease." Eur J Med Res 8:8 (August 2003): 332-336. Bhatnagar, D., and P.N. Durrington. "Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Their Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis-related Risk Factors and Complications." Intl J Clin Pract 57:4 (May 2003): 305-314. Zock, P.L., and D. Kromhout. ["Nutrition and Health-Fish Fatty Acids against Fatal Coronary Heart Disease."] (In Dutch.) Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 146:47 (November 2002): 2229-2233. (No authors listed.) ["Cardioprotective and Anti-arrhythmia Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Protection from Sudden Cardiac Death."] (In German.) MMW Fortschr Med 144:37 (September 2002): 54. Nair, S.S., J.W. Leitch, J. Falconer, et al. "Prevention of Cardiac Arrhythmia by Dietary (n-3) Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Mechanism of Action." J Nutr 127:3 (March 1997): 383-393. Christensen, J.H., P. Gustenhoff, E. Korup, et al. "Effect of Fish Oil on Heart Rate Variability in Survivors of Myocardial Infarction: A Double-blind Randomised Controlled Trial." Br Med J 312:7032 (March 1996): 677-678.

⁶    Bucher, H.C., P. Hengstler, C. Schindler, et al. "N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Coronary Heart Disease: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials." Am J Med 112:4 (March 2002): 298-304.