Top 6 Nutritional Supplements: Essential Fatty Acid (EFAs)
Essential Fatty Acid (EFAs)
* How EFAs work: Without getting too much into fatty acid biochemistry, EFAs are required by the body for a countless number of processes, and are an essential element to any nutritional supplementation program whether it is for bodybuilding, athletic training, or general fitness training. The typical American diet is largely deficient in EFAs, and dieters often have less than optimal levels while on low-fat diets. There are 3 basic EFAs which are named based on their chemical structure, including omega-3, 6, and 9. Most commercial EFA supplements are a blend of the various EFAs, providing an ideal EFA profile. EFAs basically make everything work better- the benefits of EFA supplementation include:
§ Increased insulin sensitivity: The fate of ingested carbohydrate is determined by your insulin sensitivity. After eating a carbohydrate, the insulin receptor decides whether to allow the carbs to be stored in muscle tissue as glycogen or converted to triglyceride and stored as body fat. EFAs increase the sensitivity of the insulin receptor, reducing the chance that ingested carbohydrates will convert fat.
§ Better skin tone, healthier hair: Staying on a low-fat diet deficient in EFAs for a long period of time can result in dry, unhealthy skin and hair. EFAs provide many important substrates to maintain these.
§ Improved cardiovascular function: Our cardiovascular system is very dependent of EFAs for maintaining healthy blood vessels and blood pressure. EFAs have a preventative effect for heart disease, stoke, and other cardiovascular disorders.
§ Better sleep, improved sense of well being: The brain and CNS are highly dependent on EFAs for optimal function.
§ Healthier Immune system: The cells of the immune system can only function optimally with proper intake of EFAs. High intensity exercise places a demand on the immune system; supplementing with EFAs can support optimal function, resulting in a lesser number of illnesses, and could potentially help the immune system to better-fight off certain cancers.
* How supplement with EFAs: EFAs are supplied in both capsule-and liquid form. The most convenient form depends on the fat content for your diet. If a higher percentage of fats are being used, dieters can benefit from having a significant portion of their fat intake in the form of EFAs. Flax oil is a good choice, or there are many EFA blends that provide an optimal EFA profile. These same supplements are also supplied in pill form and should be used when the overall amount of fat in the diet is relatively low. Depending on the size and contents of the caps, daily EFA requirements can be met by taking 3-5 caps/day.
Next: meal replacement powders
* How EFAs work: Without getting too much into fatty acid biochemistry, EFAs are required by the body for a countless number of processes, and are an essential element to any nutritional supplementation program whether it is for bodybuilding, athletic training, or general fitness training. The typical American diet is largely deficient in EFAs, and dieters often have less than optimal levels while on low-fat diets. There are 3 basic EFAs which are named based on their chemical structure, including omega-3, 6, and 9. Most commercial EFA supplements are a blend of the various EFAs, providing an ideal EFA profile. EFAs basically make everything work better- the benefits of EFA supplementation include:
§ Increased insulin sensitivity: The fate of ingested carbohydrate is determined by your insulin sensitivity. After eating a carbohydrate, the insulin receptor decides whether to allow the carbs to be stored in muscle tissue as glycogen or converted to triglyceride and stored as body fat. EFAs increase the sensitivity of the insulin receptor, reducing the chance that ingested carbohydrates will convert fat.
§ Better skin tone, healthier hair: Staying on a low-fat diet deficient in EFAs for a long period of time can result in dry, unhealthy skin and hair. EFAs provide many important substrates to maintain these.
§ Improved cardiovascular function: Our cardiovascular system is very dependent of EFAs for maintaining healthy blood vessels and blood pressure. EFAs have a preventative effect for heart disease, stoke, and other cardiovascular disorders.
§ Better sleep, improved sense of well being: The brain and CNS are highly dependent on EFAs for optimal function.
§ Healthier Immune system: The cells of the immune system can only function optimally with proper intake of EFAs. High intensity exercise places a demand on the immune system; supplementing with EFAs can support optimal function, resulting in a lesser number of illnesses, and could potentially help the immune system to better-fight off certain cancers.
* How supplement with EFAs: EFAs are supplied in both capsule-and liquid form. The most convenient form depends on the fat content for your diet. If a higher percentage of fats are being used, dieters can benefit from having a significant portion of their fat intake in the form of EFAs. Flax oil is a good choice, or there are many EFA blends that provide an optimal EFA profile. These same supplements are also supplied in pill form and should be used when the overall amount of fat in the diet is relatively low. Depending on the size and contents of the caps, daily EFA requirements can be met by taking 3-5 caps/day.
Next: meal replacement powders
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