Unsaturated Fatty Acids In Acai
Essential Fatty Acids In Acai Berries
It is has been well established that our bodies need fat. Fat is actually a source of energy for our bodies, but too much of the wrong kinds of fat are harmful and too little of the right kind of fats are unhealthy. Cholesterol is a fat we all have heard about. Too much cholesterol is bad, it can build up in the walls of our arteries and lead to blockage of our blood circulation resulting in poor coronary health and even lead to heart attacks. On the other hand, there are fats that are essential to our health. These fats are called polyunsaturated fats. The most important of these are the essential fatty acids.
Our bodies are amazing organisms, able to synthesis needed compounds out of the nutrients we put into it. However, there are some compounds our body cannot produce. These have been identified as essential fatty acids (EFA). Our bodies cannot make EFA’s so we have no choice but to consume them directly. Essential fatty acids play a part in many metabolic processes affecting our health on a cellular level and there is evidence to suggest that low levels of essential fatty acids, or the wrong balance of types among the essential fatty acids, may be a factor in a number of illnesses.
It has been discovered that the seeds of the acai berry contain high levels of these polyunsaturated essential fatty acids. In fact, the whole acai berry contains its own unique blend and composition of fatty acids. It is this natural balance of ingredients that has made the acai berry such a popular supplement among health professionals and nutrition specialists. Polyunsaturated fatty acids can actually reduce blood cholesterol and diminish the risk of cardiovascular disease. It should be made clear that not all acai products contain the ingredients from the crushed seeds. Those that do, have a higher level of the essential fatty acids than those acai products that do not.
The great majority of fats found in acai are unsaturated, heart-healthy fats. The acai berry contains linoleic acid (part of the omega 6 family of unsaturated fatty acids) and oleic acid (part of the omega 9 family of unsaturated fatty acids). Linoleic acid has the additional advantage of being an Essential Fatty Acid (EFA), that is, a fat that humans need but cannot synthesize, and must therefore be obtained through the diet. Regular consumption of acai products can provide you with the unsaturated fats that will help your blood circulation and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and high blood pressure.
