Creating Your Healthy Life - Essential Fatty Acids and Your Health

Right up into the early 1900's, just about all diseases were infectious in nature, for example; diphtheria, typhoid, smallpox, pneumonia, black plague, tuberculosis, etc. With our progression as a civilization the way our food and farming was processed changed and new diseases began to manifest, for example; cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, etc. The more modern our civilization has become, the more new diseases have manifested. Today, the following diseases are regularly diagnosed such as, arthritis, IBS, bi-polar, fibromyalgia, schizophrenia, hyperactivity, ADHD, allergies, depression, etc. Our food processing has removed vitamins, fiber and other essential nutrients from the foods we eat.

Nutrition is important to a healthy life. Good nutrition provides antioxidants, micronutrients and the fuel our body needs for optimal health performance. It is recommended that adults should eat 7-13 servings of fruits and vegetables per day depending on their age, gender and physical activity. These Whole Foods support the immune system, reduce oxidative stress, and help protect our DNA and impact key indicators of cardiovascular wellness.   From my studies, observations and my own research, I have learned that our bodies need Nutrition that must include Essential Nutrients! Essential Nutrients are absolutely essential to live. Our bodies cannot produce them so we must get them from food or supplement. If we don't get enough Essential Nutrients our bodies will suffer a deficiency disorder and if the body get's none, serious disease will likely manifest.

Essential Nutrients include vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, amino acids and fatty acids (Omega 6 & Omega 3) The recommended fruits and vegetables does not cover Essential Fatty Acids, one of the Essential Nutrients. A deficiency of EFA's can result in depression, a serotonin & dopamine blood barrier in the brain and blood flow. If a person does not get enough EFA's the myelin sheath protection millions of neurons in the brain may not be adequate. Research has shown ADD & dyslexia subjects have EFA deficiencies, as well as patients with depression.   Omega 3 Fatty Acids keep cell membranes fluid and flexible which is necessary for healthy cell function and the regulators that control the body's well being. Our illnesses today are not infectious....they are lifestyle and nutrition issues which we can and must change.

A pharmaceutical grade, 1000 mg Omega 3 fish oil reduces risk of sudden death by heart related causes by 45%. Women reduce their coronary heart disease by more than 1/3 and the risk of fatal heart attack by 1/2. Men without heart disease were 81% less likely to experience sudden death due to irregular heart beat when their blood levels of Omega 2 fatty acids were high, regardless of their age or smoking habits. Eating a diet with 5 or more servings of cold water fish per week would provide the recommended Omega 3 fatty acid requirement.   Omega 3 also benefits the structural system and skin. Through a process in the body, Omega 3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation, inhibit platelate aggregation, control cellular proliferation, vasodilators and improve immune function.   If you are unable to get these nutritional recommendations in your diet, see your practitioner for pharmaceutical grade Whole Food and Omega 3 supplementation.

"Creating Your Healthy Life" series of articles written by Pamela A. Heyen to inform and empower individuals who want to take control of their health.

Pamela began her natural health education after regaining her own health through natural remedies and therapies. Her credentials were obtained through Australasian College of Health Sciences in Portland, Oregon.

She uses her personal health related experience, combined with her formal training to educate, encourage and support the option to heal with natural therapies.

For more information on specific natural therapies and remedies regarding the subject matter of this article, contact a Holistic or Natural Health Practitioner.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pamela_Heyen

Alternative and Traditional Health Products

Traditional health products are scientifically proven products that are known to be effective treatment.
Alternative health products are natural products which have not been scientifically proven to be effective as a health product.

A health product is anything that is used in relation to a persons health.

Traditional health products are what most people think when they hear health product. Traditional health products include medications that can be found at a pharmacy and methods of treatment like surgery.

Alternative health products, on the other hand, are more like home remedies. They are natural products which, unlike traditional products, are not manufactured in a lab.

People who back traditional health products claim they prefer the safety of science. They say alternative treatments are not proven to work and therefore are simply a waste. Furthermore, they say that people who use alternative health products are harming themselves by not getting the necessary proven traditional treatment

People who back alternative health products say that they are better for a person because they are natural. Traditional health products introduce foreign substances to the body that can produce side effects when alternative products produce fairly little, if any, harmful side effects.

There is a lot of talk about which is better for a person and many schools of thought on the subject.

The arguments between both sides of the alternative versus traditional health product debate will likely never see eye to eye. Some alternative practices are being studied for effectiveness, but many have so far not passed the traditional test. Until alternative health products can be proven by science the debate will continue.

Believing in good balanced diet, taking vitamins and minerals. Daily exercise, yoga, stretching, breathing exercises, drinking enough water, meditation, relaxation, positive thinking, and trying to be happy.