Essential fatty acids

Approximately 35% of our brain’s lipids are made up of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Brain cell membranes, the outer layer of the cell, are rich in fatty acids, which studies suggest may help ‘gate keep’ what can come in and out of the cell.⁶ Without PUFAs the membrane may not function as it is intended to.

The role of EFAs, which include Omega-3, for learning and behaviour in children continues to grow as an area of research.⁶

Omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, are an essential component in the brain. Since your body does not have the ability to synthesise some types of Omega-3 fatty acids on its own, it is important to consume them in your diet. Over the years, concerns have grown that there is a suboptimal level of  Omega-3 in the modern diet, which may have an impact on learning, reading, and attention.⁶

Two types of EFAs to focus on are linoleic acid and ∝-linolenic acid. Both of these EFAs are needed for growth and repair and can’t be produced by the human body. In their consumable form, these two fatty acids actually don’t have an effect; however, when they are metabolised by the body they form other fatty acids that your body can then use, such as EPA (Omega-3), DHA (Omega-3), and GLA (Omega-6).

Over the years, our diet has changed causing a shift in the types of foods we eat, and the amount of Omega-3, which we classify as “healthier” foods, such as vegetables and fish has decreased.  As these healthier foods are being substituted more and more for foods that are more processed and convenient, their nutritional value tends to go down, as well as their likelihood to contain these Omega-3 fatty acids!

EPA:DHA:GLA=9:3:1 works to provide a balanced supplementation of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to people who want to increase the amount of fatty acids in their diet.