Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency

Essential fatty acid deficiency, one of the major health concerns in the world today, can be attributed to several factors, including changing lifestyle patterns and obesophobia. The inclusion of even small amounts of essential fatty acids (EFAs), such as the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, in our diet can help us in preventing this condition. Not many people are aware about the importance of including these fatty acids in our daily diet though, and that's where the problem begins.

Essential Fatty Acids

EFAs are the fatty acids required by our body, but cannot be produced within the body, and hence has to be compulsorily included in our daily diet. As the name suggests, these are necessary for various biological processes. In fact, they are extraordinary metabolism boosters, and hence constitute an important part of our diet. One of the most important fatty acid - omega-3 essential fatty acid, has several health benefits. It helps in lowering the blood pressure and stimulating blood circulation. Omega 6 fatty acid, also referred to as linoleic acid, plays a vital role in functioning of the brain and regulating body metabolism. Foods rich in EFAs include fish, flax seed, soy oil, canola oil, sunflower seeds, leafy vegetables, etc.

Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency

Causes: The most important cause of EFA deficiency, among the people today, is the increased adulteration of the polyunsaturated oils during refinement. The deficiency can also be attributed to change in the dietary habits of the people. The modern-day cooking methods have completely wiped off all the vital sources of essential fatty acids from our kitchen. To add to the woes, unnatural fats and oils, in form of trans fats and hydrogenated oils, have become an important component of our diet, owing to the rising trend of depending on fast food.

Symptoms: Deficiency of any essential component of the body shows in form of some prominent changes in the appearance or the functioning of the body. Given below are some commonly observed symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency

• Cramps during menstrual periods
• Craving for fatty foods
• Dry and brittle hair
• Dry and oily skin
• Dry mouth, throat and eyes
• Dull and splitting fingernails
• Excessive thirst
• Excessive waxing of ears
• Feeling of being tired and fatigued
• Formation of dandruff
• High blood pressure
• Inability to concentrate
• Inadequate lubrication of vagina
• Irregular bowel movements
• Premenstrual pain in breasts
• Skin cracking and fingertips peeling
• Skin losing the luster or becoming dull
• Skin of feet and face becoming dry and scaly
• Slow growth of fingernails
• Small bumps occurring on the arms
• Stiff and/or painful joints
• Thickening of calluses

With time these problems tend to get complicated to a great extent. Though rare, there are significant chances of the person suffering from a heart attack as well. Doctors, who lack training in nutrition, quite often find it difficult to detect this health condition, which in turn delays the treatment of the deficiency, and makes the patient more vulnerable to several serious ailments and long-term diseases including heart disease, cancer and arthritis. Aforementioned symptoms are very broad and vague, and hence there are high chances of the deficiency being misdiagnosed.

Various essential fatty acid supplements, such as sunflower seeds, walnuts, leafy vegetables, fish, etc. are effective in treatment of this deficiency. Researches have revealed that olive or soybean oil emulsions also help in the treatment of this condition. The best measure though, is to prevent the deficiency from occurring in the very first place by including sufficient amount of EFAs in your daily diet.