Essential Fatty Acids
Essential For a Reason!
OMEGA 3 EPA - 60 Capsules
Omega-3 fatty acids are one of four basic fats that the body derives from foods. While many of the other fats are harmful, omega-3s benefit the body and are especially good for the heart. Omega-3 EPA is a source of two fatty acids, EPA and DHA. Supportive but not conclusive research shows that the 
consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, high blood pressure, arthritis, skin disorders, menstrual pain, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease. They may also be beneficial during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Benefits:
- Supports the cardiovascular system.
- Protects cell membranes.
- Contains lemon oil for improved taste and aftertaste.
- May promote healthy circulatory function.
Omega 3 EPA
£13.95 £11.16
Ingredients: Marine lipid concentrate (Fish oil such as anchovy, sardine and mackerel.), Other Ingredients: capsule shell (gelatin, water), natural source vitaman E (as d-alpha tocopheryl prep.).
Omega 3 EPA - Nutritional Facts - Amount per capsule
| Fish oil concentrate | 1000 mg |
| of which: | |
| Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) | 180 mg |
| Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) | 120 mg |
Recommended Usage:
Take one or two capsule 2-3 times daily with a meal.
Omega-3 is a natural triglyceride fish lipid concentrate rich in EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These fatty acids are not produced by the body and can only be obtained through the diet. Omega-3 contains triglycerides from the flesh of cold water fish such as anchovy, sardine and mackerel.
Omega-3 EPA softgel capsules contain approximately 1,000 mg fish oil, with a ratio of 1.5:1 EPA to DHA (180 mg EPA, 120 mg DHA) per capsule.
Click here for a Omega-3 fact sheet. (pdf download).
Nature's Sunshine Products - Quality Without Compromise.
All of the ingredients in the Nature's Sunshine product range are extracted from organic and wild crafted sources. Most other manufactures use inferior quality synthetic ingredients which require more nutrients to process than are available from the products themselves.
Only naturally derived ingredients work as nature intended.
FLAX SEED OIL - 60 Capsules
Flax seed is a rich source of omega-3 essential fatty acid (EFA), alpha-linolenic acid, and contains linoleic acid (omega-6 EFA) in the correct proportions. This is important to know since the body cannot manufacture EFAs. Modern Western diets are typically lacking omega-3 EFAs in their food, and Flaxseed Oil is the perfect supplement. Flaxseeds also contain lignans which provide Immune System support in addition to circulatory and structural benefits. Other key 
components, lecithin and phospholipids, are responsible for the development and integrity of cell membranes.
Benefits:
- Aids in the construction of healthy cell membranes.
- Keeps saturated fats mobile in the bloodstream.
- Maintains already-normal stickiness of blood platelet.
- Plays a vital role in the production of prostaglandins.
- Maintains nerves.
- Helps maintain cholesterol levels already in the normal range.
- Supports the kidneys.
- Provides beneficial phytoestrogens.
- Stimulates immune activity.
Flax Seed Oil
£16.95 £13.56
Ingredients: Unrefined flax seed oil, gelatin, water and carob coating (for light resistance).
Flax Seed Oil - Nutritional Facts - Amount per capsule
| Flax Seed Oil | 1000 mg |
| Omega 3 (Alpha linolenic acid) | 450 mg-600 mg* |
| Omega 6 (Linoleic acid) | 130 mg-200 mg* |
| Omega 9 (Oleic acid) | 140 mg-200 mg* |
*Quantities vary due to the natural nature of the flax seed harvest.
Recommended Usage:
Take one or two capsules 2-3 times daily with a meal.
Several scientific studies show that consumption of omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) can benefit the heart. Flax Seed Oil is a rich source of these EFAs. It also contains lignans, substances known to stimulate immune activity, and linoleic acid, another essential fatty acid.
Until recently, experts believed the best sources of omega-3 were fish oils. While fish oils are a good source, flax seed oil contains twice as much omega-3 essential fatty acids as fish oil products, without the fishy aftertaste. Each softgel capsule contains omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids.
Nature's Sunshine Products - Quality Without Compromise.
All of the ingredients in the Nature's Sunshine product range are extracted from organic and wild crafted sources. Most other manufactures use inferior quality synthetic ingredients which require more nutrients to process than are available from the products themselves.
Only naturally derived ingredients work as nature intended.
Few topics in nutrition cause as much controversy and concern as fat. For years we have been told to cut down on the amount of fat we eat, but the latest research suggests that it is not so much the amount of fat we eat as the balance of the different types. Fats play a critical role in the function of every cell of the body. The type of dietary fat affects the behaviour of each one of these cells, how well they perform their vital functions, and the ability to resist disease. There are many kinds of fat in the diet and different types can exert either beneficial or harmful effects. Two essential fatty acids are necessary for health. These 
are the polyunsaturated fats, linoleic and alpha linolenic acid. Essential fatty acids have beneficial effects while high intakes of saturated and hydrogenated fats are linked to an increased risk of degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.
What They do in the Body
Essential fatty acids are involved in energy production, the transfer of oxygen from the air to the bloodstream, and the manufacture of haemoglobin. They are precursors to prostaglandins, messenger molecules that control and regulate such important functions as reproduction and fertility, inflammatory reactions, immunity and communication between cells. They are also involved in growth, cell division and nerve function. Essential fatty acids are found in high concentrations in the brain and are essential for normal nerve impulse transmission and brain function.
The points below show how fatty acids are involved in many of the key processes of life:
- Cells - As building blocks of cell membranes.
- Energy - Helping energy production, through the process of oxidation.
- Hormones - Prostaglandin production. These molecules can then interact with a variety of tissues and organs they encounter during circulation, including the brain, linking physical and mental impacts together as part of an integrated “systemic” effect.
- Brain and eyes - May help visual and cognitive development and function in children.
Giving the body an adequate supply of vital fatty acids may assist the body in maintaining optimum health. Research on essential fatty acid compounds has shown effects in numerous areas of health including:
- Cardiovascular disease – Apolipoproteins - proteins made by the liver involved in fat metabolism. Different inherited versions or “isoforms” of various apolipoproteins exert an effect on risk for cardiovascular disease. The actions of Omega-3 PUFAs on relative apolipoprotein levels has been frequently observed to have a possible protective effect against cardiovascular illness.
- Blood triglycerides – EPA and DHA can lower high triglyceride levels. This may be implicated in the lowering of cholesterol levels such as the potentially harmful Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and lower Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL).The precise mechanism for these changes is still the subject of ongoing research. High cholesterol triglycerides, LDL and VLDL are associated with cardiovascular disease.
- Blood pressure – EPA lowers elevated blood pressure, possibly through the effects of series 3 prostaglandins (PGs) the production of which diverts precursor molecules to decrease levels of the blood pressure-raising 2PGs made from omega-6 fatty acids.
- Hormone effects – From EPA our body makes PG3 prostaglandins and series-5 leukotrienes,producing these less inflammatory molecules preferentially over the more inflammatory, Omega-6 derived series-2 PGs and series-4 leukotrienes. This reduced inflammatory hormonal background may have an elicit health benefits that impact on the chances of suffering from strokes, heart attacks and cardiovascular complications. The presence of EPA is thought to help prevent the body's cells from making too many PG2 clot-forming prostaglandins.
Types of Fat
In contrast to the food supply available to man throughout most of history, the typical modern Western diet contains a large amount of fat. Fats are found in both plant and animal foods and there are several different types:
Saturated fats:
These are found in animal foods such as meat, butter and cheese, and plant foods such as coconut oil and palm oil. Trans fats are unsaturated fats, which have undergone a chemical process called hydrogenation to turn them into saturated fats. They are found in packaged foods such as pastries, cookies, crackers and baked goods. High intakes of saturated fats are associated with an increased risk of many diseases. As little dietary fat as possible should come from these fats, with a maximum of 10 per cent.
Monounsaturated fats:
These include those found in canola, olive and peanut oils, and may also help to lower cholesterol and decrease platelet aggregation. They are also less susceptible to oxidation.
Polyunsaturated fats:
These are found in oils of plant origin such as safflower, sesame, sunflower and corn, and may help to lower cholesterol and decrease platelet aggregation, thus reducing the risk of heart disease.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids:
Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid and alpha linolenic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid. These terms refer to characteristics in the chemical structure of the fatty acids. Other omega-3 fatty acids are manufactured in the body using alpha linolenic acid as a starting point. These include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Other omega-6 fatty acids can be manufactured in the body using linoleic acid as a starting point. These include gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid (DHGLA) and arachidonic acid.
