Essential fatty acid supplements are made from a number of natural sources including evening primrose seed, borage seed, flax seed, and some species of cold-water fish.

The following guide will give you an introduction to each of these supplementary sources.

• Evening primrose oil
• Borage oil
• Flax seed and flax oil
• Fish oils

Once touted as "the King's Cure-all", the evening primrose plant has been praised for centuries for its healing powers in a wide range of ailments. The secret of the evening primrose is in the seed, which contains the essential fatty acid GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid). Today, millions of women use the healing powers of evening primrose oil, which contains 8-10% GLA, to help counteract the effects of premenstrual syndrome. Research has shown that evening primrose oil may help alleviate breast pain, bloating, depression, and cramps for women suffering from PMS. There have been many instances where women have seen these symptoms lessen or disappear altogether after they started supplementation with evening primrose oil.

Research has also shown GLA to be beneficial for a number of other conditions including:

• arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, where studies with GLA show significant improvement in joint stiffness, swelling, and overall discomfort
• skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis where research has shown that eczema may be linked to a GLA deficiency
• cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension and high blood cholesterol
• diabetic neuropathy · improved immune function
• certain forms of cancer

The body becomes depleted of GLA as we age, and also as we consume excessive amounts of trans-fatty acids, saturated fats and food additives. Supplementing with GLA can help restore the youthfulness of skin and hair as well as help improve general well-being.

For information about evening primrose oil products, please see the Product Guide.

Borage also known as starflower, is a shrubby garden herb, which has a long history of medicinal use. The plant has been used for thousands of years for medicinal, culinary and decorative purposes. Today, the plant is harvested for the seed, which is nature's richest source of the fatty acid GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid). Oil produced from borage seed contains between 20 and 24% GLA, making it twice as potent as evening primrose oil, which contains only 8 to 10% GLA.

The high potency of borage oil makes it a good choice for people who require higher dosages of GLA. Research done in the last 20 years has demonstrated the wide range of benefits that may be obtained through supplementation with higher dosages of GLA.

GLA supplementation has been shown to:

• reduce the pain and joint stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis
• decrease itching, redness and wounds associated with eczema
• improve heart health by correcting cholesterol levels, combating the growth of atherosclerosis, and lowering blood pressure
• prevent and improve neuropathies associated with diabetes
• reduce the PMS symptoms of breast pain, depression, and irritability
• help prevent and treat certain forms of cancer

The body becomes depleted of GLA as we age, and also as we consume excessive amounts of trans-fatty acids, saturated fats and food additives. Supplementing with GLA can help restore the youthfulness of skin and hair as well as help improve general well-being.

For information about borage oil products, please see the Product Guide.

Ancient records show that the human race has consumed flax seed since the beginning of civilization. Over the centuries, the growing of flax seed has spread across Europe, Africa, and, finally, to North America. Today, scientific findings are confirming the nutritional benefits of flaxseed in a balanced diet.

Flax seed is a remarkably good source of Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA). ALA is an essential fatty acid and is one of the essential nutrients that is necessary for life. ALA must be obtained from the diet - the human body is not able to manufacture it.

ALA is useful in protecting against heart diseases, improving immune function, cancer prevention, and improving male infertility.

As well, approximately 20% of the ALA we consume is transformed in our bodies into two other fatty acids: EPA and DHA (these are the same beneficial compounds found in fish oil). The benefits of EPA and DHA include: protection from fatal heart attack, decreased inflammation and pain in arthritis, and protection from thrombotic disease. DHA alone is noted for its effects on brain function, mood and behavior. DHA is one of the building blocks for brain growth and development. Numerous animal and human studies suggest that DHA improves learning, vision processes, memory, and concentration.

Due to the benefits of EPA and DHA produced from ALA in the diet, flaxseed consumption may be particularly important for vegetarians and people who prefer not to eat fish often.

The easiest way to get the ALA you need is to supplement with capsules of flax oil, or use bottled flax oil in salad dressings and other cooking. However, raw flax seed (preferably milled or ground) is another way to add ALA to the diet. Raw flax seed is also a valuable source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, which helps relieve constipation. In addition, raw flax seed is the highest plant source of lignans, which are strong antioxidants that could reduce the aging process, promote bone health, help prevent cardiovascular disease, and protect against some environmental toxins. Lignans may help reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer, particularly cancers of the breast and colon. For women, lignans have added benefits. Lignans are phytoestrogens which normalize hormone levels, which can fluctuate at any stage in a woman's life.

For information about flax seed products, please see the Product Guide.

Fish oil first gained popularity as a "heart-healthy" supplement containing beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. The interest in fish fats began in 1969, when two Danish physicians, H.O. Bang and J. Dyerberg, noticed that the Eskimo population of Greenland had a considerably lower death rate from heart disease than the rest of the Danish population. The researchers concluded that the lower death rate was linked to the high amounts of fish fat in their diet.

Since then we have learned that omega-3 fish fats are not "just for the heart". Research has shown that fish oil also has a positive effect on numerous other disease conditions including arthritis, mental disorders, multiple sclerosis, and more. Cold-water fish, including cod, salmon, and mackerel contain the essential fatty acids Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). These essential fatty acids help regulate everyday cellular functions in the body that are necessary for good health. The body cannot produce EFAs naturally so we must get them in our diet or through nutritional supplements.

Current research indicates that supplementation with EPA and DHA in fish oils may…

• decrease the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack by reducing atherosclerosis, blood triglycerides, and blood clotting
• protect against cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• lower blood pressure
• help alleviate joint pain and stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis
• improve learning and memory
• alleviate mental disorders including bipolar disorder ("manic depression"), schizophrenia, depression, dementia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• improve symptoms of multiple sclerosis
• protect against certain cancers
• help maintain remission of Crohn's disease
• improve symptoms of lupus erythematosus
• slow the progression of IgA nephropathy, a common disease of the kidney

For information about fish oil products, please see the Product Guide.