Omega Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are fatty acids that humans and other animals must ingest for good health because the body requires them but can't make them from other food components. The term refers to fatty acids required for biological processes, and not those that only act as fuel.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are necessary fats that humans cannot synthesize, and must be obtained through diet. EFAs are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids. There are two families of EFAs: Omega-3 and Omega-6. Omega-9 is necessary yet "non-essential" because the body can manufacture a modest amount on its own, provided essential EFAs are present. The number following "Omega-" represents the position of the first double bond, counting from the terminal methyl group on the molecule. Omega-3 fatty acids are derived from Linolenic Acid, Omega-6 from Linoleic Acid, and Omega-9 from Oleic Acid.

Omega-3 (Linolenic Acid)

Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) is the principal Omega-3 fatty acid, which a healthy human will convert into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and later into docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and the GLA synthesized from linoleic (Omega-6) acid are later converted into hormone-like compounds known as eicosanoids, which aid in many bodily functions including vital organ function and intracellular activity. Omega-3s are used in the formation of cell walls, making them supple and flexible, and improving circulation and oxygen uptake with proper red blood cell flexibility and function.

Omega-3 deficiencies are linked to decreased memory and mental abilities, tingling sensation of the nerves, poor vision, increased tendency to form blood clots, diminished immune function, increased triglycerides and "bad" cholesterol (LDL) levels, impaired membrane function, hypertension, irregular heart beat, learning disorders, menopausal discomfort, itchiness on the front of the lower leg(s), and growth retardation in infants, children, and pregnant women.

Omega-6 (Linoleic Acid)

Linoleic Acid is the primary Omega-6 fatty acid. A healthy human with good nutrition will convert linoleic acid into gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which will later by synthesized, with EPA from the Omega-3 group, into eicosanoids. Some Omega-6s improve diabetic neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, PMS, skin disorders (e.g. psoriasis and eczema), and aid in cancer treatment. Although most Americans obtain an excess of linoleic acid, often it is not converted to GLA because of metabolic problems caused by diets rich in sugar, alcohol, or trans fats from processed foods, as well as smoking, pollution, stress, aging, viral infections, and other illnesses such as diabetes. It is best to eliminate these factors when possible, but some prefer to supplement with GLA-rich foods such as borage oil, black currant seed oil, or evening primrose oil.

Omega-9 (Oleic Acid)

Essential but technically not an EFA, because the human body can manufacture a limited amount, provided essential EFAs are present. Monounsaturated oleic acid lowers heart attack risk and arteriosclerosis, and aids in cancer prevention.

Phytonutrients

Phytonutrients are nutrients derived from plant material that have been shown to be necessary for sustaining human life. Phytochemicals are non-nutritive plant chemicals that contain protective, disease-preventing, compounds. Their role in plants is to protect plants from disease, injuries, insects, drought, excessive heat, ultraviolet rays, and poisons or pollutants in the air or soil. They form part of the plants immune system.

Although phytochemicals are not yet classified as nutrients, substances necessary for sustaining life, they have been identified as containing properties for aiding in disease prevention. Phytochemicals are associated with the prevention and/or treatment of at least four of the leading causes of death in Western countries - cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. They are involved in many processes including ones that help prevent cell damage, prevent cancer cell replication, and decrease cholesterol levels.

One of the most important groups of phytochemicals are the phytosterols or phytohormones as they are sometimes known. These are plant based sterols that act as precursors to human sterols. They act to modulate the human endocrine system. One of the most important human sterols is Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This hormone is produced in our adrenal glands and serves a variety of functions.

It is often called the 'mother' hormone as it has the ability to convert itself into other hormones such as oestrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and corticosterone, on demand. Thus it is a precursor to all other hormones and active metabolites. Precursors are substances the body uses to produce other substances.

Ferulic Acid

Ferulic acid is a natural chemical that is found in the cell walls of plants.

Ferulic acid is an antioxidant which neutralizes free radicals (superoxide, nitric oxide and hydroxyl radical) which could cause oxidative damage of cell membranes and DNA. Ferulic acid helps to prevent damage to our cells caused by ultraviolet light. Exposure to ultraviolet light actually increases the antioxidant potency of ferulic acid. Ferulic acid is often added as ingredient of anti-aging supplements. Studies have shown that ferulic acid can decrease blood glucose levels and can be of help to diabetes patients.

Ferulic acid seems to protect against cancer, bone degeneration, menopausal symptoms (hot flushes). Like many other antioxidants, ferulic acid reduces the level of cholesterol and triglyceride, thereby reducing the risk of hearth disease. Ferulic acid seems to reduce the risk of many cancers, including cancer of the stomach, colon, breast, prostate, liver, lung and tongue. A study by W Kuenzig et all Caffeic and ferulic acid as blockers of nitrosamine formation published in Carcinogenesis (Vol 5, 1984) showed that dietary caffeic acid and ferulic acid may play a role in the body's defence against carcinogenesis by inhibiting the formation of N- nitroso compounds.

Ferulic acid acts as an antioxidant by absorbing free radicals from the surrounding environment. As an antioxidant it may, therefore, act as an anti-cancer agent. It is often used as an ingredient in various supplements that claim to slow down the aging process. Such supplements sometimes go by the name of ferulic acid serum. Other health benefits that have been attributed to this substance include reduction of cholesterol in the blood, protection against the degeneration of bone, stabilization of levels of blood glucose in diabetic patients, and the relief of "hot flushing" symptoms experienced by menopausal women.

Alpha-lipoic acid

Alpha-Lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is made by the body and is found in every cell, where it helps turn glucose into energy.

Unlike other antioxidants, which work only in water (such as vitamin C) or fatty tissues (such as vitamin E), alpha-lipoic acid is both fat- and water-soluble. That means it can work throughout the body. In addition, antioxidants are depleted as they attack free radicals, but evidence suggests alpha-lipoic acid may help regenerate these other antioxidants and make them active again.

Alpha-lipoic acid can lower blood sugar levels, and its ability to kill free radicals may help reduce pain, burning, itching, tingling, and numbness in people who have nerve damage caused by diabetes (called peripheral neuropathy). Alpha-lipoic acid has been used for years for this purpose in Europe.

Gamma Oryzanol

Gamma oryzanol is a naturally occurring mixture of plant chemicals called sterols and ferulic acid esters. Although it appears in grains such as barley and corn, gamma-oryzanol is extracted from rice bran oil for commercial purposes. Gamma oryzanol is actually two molecules in one. The largest part is the triterpenyl alcohol part. This is simply another name for sterol. Sterols are the group of compounds found throughout nature, with many vital biological functions. Some wellknown sterols are cholesterol and beta sitosterol. Many hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and corticosteroids, are derived from cholesterol, and can be thought of as modified sterols. The second half of each gamma oryzanol molecule is ferulic acid, a widespread plant compound.

Gamma oryzanol/ferulic acid is a potent membrane antioxidant in animals and humans. The role of antioxidants in exercise physiology has only recently been explored and elucidated. Several reviews have illustrated the mechanism by which anaerobic exercise actually produces free radicals, which result in fatigue. Surprisingly, the increased flow of oxygen to fuel working muscles is not a major source for free radical damage, as normal cellular antioxidant levels seem to be adequate for the amount of free radicals produced by oxidative processes. Instead, free radicals that overwhelm cellular defenses are produced by the action of xanthine oxidase on inosine in muscle tissue.

Apparently acting on the brain's control of digestion, and possibly through a direct effect on the stomach, gamma-oryzanol may help to ease heartburn and other digestive-system discomforts. Ulcer sufferers have taken it with some success. Gamma-oryzanol supplements have also relieved pain, nausea, vomiting, and other post-meal gastrointestinal symptoms in study participants suffering from gastritis (stomach inflammation). Japanese scientists conducting various trials have discovered that gamma-oryzanol may ease hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, and may even help to lower cholesterol. In addition, antioxidant properties in the extract may protect heart vessels from free-radical damage.

Like other vegetable oils, rice bran oil appears to improve cholesterol profile as well as reduce heart disease risk in other ways. Weaker evidence suggests that the gamma oryzanol portion of rice bran oil can also improve cholesterol profile. It is thought to work by impairing cholesterol absorption in the digestive tract. Additionally, gamma oryzanol has antioxidant properties, although it is not clear that this implies any meaningful health benefits. Gamma oryzanol is used by some athletes based on early reports that suggested gamma oryzanol enhances muscle growth and sports performance. According to numerous websites, gamma oryzanol produces these benefits by increasing levels of testosterone, growth hormone, and other anabolic (muscle building) hormones.

Gamma oryzanol has also been advocated as a treatment for menopausal symptoms, but the basis of this potential use consists of evidence far too weak to be relied upon at all. In one study, gamma oryzanol injected into rats altered levels of circulation luteinizing hormone (LH). This in turn might conceivably help menopausal symptoms, but it is a long way from theoretical benefits in rats to proof of effectiveness in humans. One open study sometimes touted as direct evidence for benefit in menopause lacked a control group and therefore means nothing.

Phytosterols

The Food & Drug Administration approved the health claim regarding the role of plant sterols esters in reducing risk of heart disease.

Rice bran and its products are one of the highest natural sources of phytosterols in nature. Phytosterols help reduce cholesterol by decreasing lipid (fats) circulating in the bloodstream. They are strong anti-inflammatory agents and immune-function enhancers, and decrease susceptibility to infection. They also help prevent cancer through their action of inhibiting abnormal cell growth.

Sterols are the group of compounds found throughout nature, with many vital biological functions. Some wellknown sterols are cholesterol and beta sitosterol. Many hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and corticosteroids, are derived from cholesterol, and can be thought of as modified sterols.

Plant sterols are extracts of certain plants that, when ingested, inhibit the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine. Thus, dietary cholesterol never gets into the system.

Research has shown that plant sterols/stanols included with a heart healthy eating plan may reduce your risk for heart disease. The sterols/stanols work by blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine. This lowers the low density cholesterol known as the 'bad' cholesterol (LDL ) by 6-15%, without lowering the good cholesterol known as the high density cholesterol ( HDL). Clinical research trials have documented safety and effectiveness for use by the entire family. Plant stanols/sterols do not interfere with cholesterol lowering medications.

The National Cholesterol Education/Adult Treatment III program guidelines recommend plant sterols/plant stanols as part of a heart healthy eating plan. Eating a heart healthy low fat diet that include eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods, plant sterols/stanols, plus regular physical activity help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Carotenoids

Carotenoids are chemicals with nutritive properties that exist in the pigment that colors plants, animals and rice bran. As a fat-soluble material, carotenoids are ingested by humans in countless colorful fruits and vegetables. They are important as antioxidants, as well as in their capacity to get converted to essential vitamins.

Carotenoids are very important for health. The health benefits of carotenoids in the human diet are becoming increasingly apparent. There've been studies suggest that some carotenoids can offer protection against some cancers, macular eye disease and cardiovascular problems. A higher dietary intake of carotenoids offers protection against developing certain cancers (e.g., lung, skin, uterine, cervix, gastrointestinal tract), macular degeneration, cataracts, and other health conditions linked to oxidative or free radical damage. In addition to being antioxidants, carotenoids also help to rejuventate the body by promoting the growth of healthy cells and inhibiting the growth of unhealthy ones. The beneficial actions of carotenoids are optimal when a variety of carotenoids are consumed together, rather than alone.

Tocotrienols

Tocotrienols and tocopherols are potent antioxidants that are 100% natural. These nutrients have been combined with d-alpha tocopherol, and yeast-free selenium. The result is a synergistic combination of nutritional antioxidants.

Vitamin E is one of the most important phytonutrients in edible oils. It consists of eight naturally occuring isomers, a family of four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) homologues.

Rice bran oil is the only readily available oil, other than palm, that contains significant levels (approximately 500 ppm) of tocotrienols. These occur in at least four known forms and are similar to the tocopherols in chemical structure. They belong to the vitamin E family and are powerful natural antioxidants. The protective benefits of dietary antioxidants in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer have been widely publicized.