Are you getting enough essential fatty acids?
For years fats in general were outlawed and low fat diets were encouraged. Thankfully it's become more widely understood that we actually need fats in our diet for a multitude of reasons, we just need the right kind of fats.
The standard western diet tends to be high in the wrong kind of fats and sadly lacking in one kind of healthy fat which we need, omega- 3 essential fatty acids.
Healthy fats are essential for the health of your cells. Your body uses fat to build cell walls. Fat is needed to build hormones. It's important for all of the membranes in your body including your eyes and your skin. Your brain also needs the right kinds of fat as an energy source and healthy fats are needed to support mood balance and cognition/clear thinking.
Healthy fats are essential for heart health, healthy cholesterol and lung health.
Omega 3 fats also have an anti-inflammatory effect, unlike some kinds of fat (especially those derived from highly processed vegetable oils like canola oil, safflower or sunflower oil) which are actually inflammatory to the body.
When your body isn't getting enough of the fats that it needs, it will send signals through symptoms such as:
-Dry, itchy or flaking skin
-Dry or irritated eyes
-Soft, cracked or brittle nails
-Hard earwax
-Tiny bumps on the back or your arms or torso
-Aching or stiff joints
-low mood or anxiety
-Period cramps
Good food sources of healthy fats and essential fatty acids:
Avocado
Raw nuts especially walnuts for omega 3 fats
Pumpkin, sunflower, freshly ground flaxseeds
Chia seeds
Hemp seeds or hemp oil
Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna. mackerel or sardines
Extra Virgin oil
Grass fed animal products
How do I know if I'm getting enough healthy fats and essential fatty acids?
Start by looking at how many sources of healthy fats and essential acids you're regularly eating in your diet. If you're not getting enough, your body will likely be trying to let you know through one or more of the above deficiency symptoms.
I also offer Omega 3 testing via a finger prick blood test. The cost for the test and sample collection appointment is $145 (a separate short follow up appointment is then needed for the test results. Test results usually take 1-2 weeks to come back). If you'd like to book an appointment to have your omega-3 levels tested, book online here: https://blossomwellbeing.as.me/omega-3-test-appointment (available for current/returning clients)
New clients need to begin with an initial consultation https://blossomwellbeing.as.me/initial-naturopathic-in-person
