Besides the important fat soluble vitamins A, E and D, scientists now realize that there are other good fats that every one needs in their diets. These good fats are absolutely essential for buoyant, vibrant health and fitness. They are the healing fats.

Essential Fatty Acids

Certain fats are called “essential” because you must get them in your diet in order to stay alive. These and other fatty acids are even more important than just sustaining life. An optimum intake can make the difference between a so-so life and a great life.

Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) form the membranes surrounding your trillions of cells. They help keep enemies, such as bacteria, allergens and toxic chemicals, out of your body.

And they give your cells the discretionary power to recognize the good nutrients that you need, such as vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, and to absorb them into your cells.

EFA’s are major players in regulating virtually all of your bodily functions.

They act like magnets attracting the oxygen necessary for you to make energy out of food. And if you’re short on essential fatty acids, your body can’t use the protein in your diet to build and maintain muscle and tissue. Protein is turned into fat.

Omega 6 and Omega 3 Oils

Omega 6 and omega 3 are the two major categories of good fatty acids.

Good quality omega 6 oils are found in high fiber foods, such as whole wheat, brown rice, whole soy and other grains, seeds, nuts and beans.

Although processed vegetable oils are Omega 6, the essential fatty acids have been either removed, destroyed or turned into trans fatty acids by the processing. These refined vegetable oils, therefore, are of no benefit.

Omega 3 oils, with the valuable preformed EPA and DHA, used to be in many foods, but have been bred or processed out. Besides being available for babies in mother’s breast milk, they are now only abundant in cold water fatty fish. Salmon is the richest source.

Studies show that the balance and quality of oils in our diets has changed dramatically over the past century. Because our modern commercial diet is high in processed vegetable oils, it appears that we’re getting way more of the Omega 6 fatty acids.

But this isn’t exactly the case. Most of the Omega 6 oils in our diet are depleted of good fatty acids and high in trans-fatty acids. A high trans-fatty acid intake increases your need for the good omega 6 essential fatty acids.

Getting the Good Fats

Omega 3 fatty acids are now being called the most exciting anti-aging, disease fighting, feel-good substances of the new decade. Quality sources can balance your hormones, help protect you from degenerative diseases and slow down your aging process.

What does this mean to you on a day-to-day basis?

The natural anti-inflammatory qualities of good fats help reduce swelling and the pain associated with migraines, injuries and arthritis (or any other “itis” for that matter).

With your cells working better, you’re less susceptible to flu, colds and other illnesses. And with balanced hormones, you’ll feel a lot better and have a more positive outlook.

To increase your “good” fatty acids from high quality omega 6 and omega 3 oils, focus on a diet rich in whole food high fiber carbohydrates of whole grains, beans, seeds, raw nuts, fresh vegetables and pure cold water fatty fish.

Use small quantities of organic butter and virgin olive oil for cooking, recipes and salads. And when you use animal products, whenever possible, buy organic, free-ranging.