EFA's contd
Posted 3rd December 2007 at 03:04 AM by Eljaype
Hi,
Thank you for the encouragement shown all these days for my posts in the blogs.
I have been telling you all about the Essential Fatty Acids or the EFA's . They are also known as the Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, which are nothing but the poly unsaturated fatty acids.
These fatty acids are needed in the body to curb the deposits of bad cholestrol (LDL), Triglycerides and Lipoproteins etc and increase the Good Cholestrol (HDL) in the blood level to push these bad things out. Only HDL has the ability to move easily through the blood and push these unwanted things out, because HDL is water based. LDL and others are oil based and are sticky, settles itself wherever possible to create unwanted blocks or deposits.
EFAs are involved with producing life energy in our bodies from food substances, and moving that energy throughout our systems. They govern growth, vitality, and mental state. They hook up oxygen, electron transport, and energy in the process of oxidation.
Oxidation, the central and most important moment-to-moment living process in our body, is the `burning' of food to produce the energy required for life processes. EFAs are also important in oxygen transfer, hemoglobin production, and control of nutrients through cell membranes. They markedly shorten recovery time from fatigue. And EFAs are also key in preventing damage from hard fats. EFAs are anti-sticky and tend to disperse them.
EFAs play a part in almost every function of our body. The Omega 3's have anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant properties as well as many other important health benefits. They reduce inflammation and can provide protection against cardiovascular disease, arthritis, skin conditions, depression and other mood-related disorders.
Omega 3 and Omega 6 interact with each other so the balance between them is crucial for good health. Together they affect the production of hormonal type messengers called eicosanoids, which has an impact on inflammation in the body and all functions at a cellular level.
Omega 9 also has many preventative qualities as its main component, Oleic acid, helps to reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Borage oil contains both Omega 6 and Omega 9 in the form of Gamma-linolenic acid and Oleic acid and is in fact, one of the best sources of GLA.The benefits of omega 3 6 9 include all of the benefits of all three types of fatty acid but Omega 3 should lead in the menu of our day to day food. They are the best one could have for healthy heart and through that an healthy body.
Add all types of fresh green vegetables, fruits in your day to day life. For office going people it is difficult to maintain your veggie and fruits diet. Try to avoid aerated soft drinks, drink fruit juices or buttermilk instead. Have salad and a handful of nuts daily.
Remember what our grandmas used to give us to eat, like roasted peanuts, chikkis etc for evening snacks when we were kids.
All those were the secrets of good health all those days. Nowadays it is easy to cook noodles and pasta for the kids when they come back from school. They also love it , makes them interesting and easily available too. But do one thing, add a mixture of chopped vegetables to that and use your imagination to dish out the varieties.
Happy eating for Good Health.
Latha
Thank you for the encouragement shown all these days for my posts in the blogs.
I have been telling you all about the Essential Fatty Acids or the EFA's . They are also known as the Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, which are nothing but the poly unsaturated fatty acids.
These fatty acids are needed in the body to curb the deposits of bad cholestrol (LDL), Triglycerides and Lipoproteins etc and increase the Good Cholestrol (HDL) in the blood level to push these bad things out. Only HDL has the ability to move easily through the blood and push these unwanted things out, because HDL is water based. LDL and others are oil based and are sticky, settles itself wherever possible to create unwanted blocks or deposits.
EFAs are involved with producing life energy in our bodies from food substances, and moving that energy throughout our systems. They govern growth, vitality, and mental state. They hook up oxygen, electron transport, and energy in the process of oxidation.
Oxidation, the central and most important moment-to-moment living process in our body, is the `burning' of food to produce the energy required for life processes. EFAs are also important in oxygen transfer, hemoglobin production, and control of nutrients through cell membranes. They markedly shorten recovery time from fatigue. And EFAs are also key in preventing damage from hard fats. EFAs are anti-sticky and tend to disperse them.
EFAs play a part in almost every function of our body. The Omega 3's have anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant properties as well as many other important health benefits. They reduce inflammation and can provide protection against cardiovascular disease, arthritis, skin conditions, depression and other mood-related disorders.
Omega 3 and Omega 6 interact with each other so the balance between them is crucial for good health. Together they affect the production of hormonal type messengers called eicosanoids, which has an impact on inflammation in the body and all functions at a cellular level.
Omega 9 also has many preventative qualities as its main component, Oleic acid, helps to reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Borage oil contains both Omega 6 and Omega 9 in the form of Gamma-linolenic acid and Oleic acid and is in fact, one of the best sources of GLA.The benefits of omega 3 6 9 include all of the benefits of all three types of fatty acid but Omega 3 should lead in the menu of our day to day food. They are the best one could have for healthy heart and through that an healthy body.
Add all types of fresh green vegetables, fruits in your day to day life. For office going people it is difficult to maintain your veggie and fruits diet. Try to avoid aerated soft drinks, drink fruit juices or buttermilk instead. Have salad and a handful of nuts daily.
Remember what our grandmas used to give us to eat, like roasted peanuts, chikkis etc for evening snacks when we were kids.
All those were the secrets of good health all those days. Nowadays it is easy to cook noodles and pasta for the kids when they come back from school. They also love it , makes them interesting and easily available too. But do one thing, add a mixture of chopped vegetables to that and use your imagination to dish out the varieties.
Happy eating for Good Health.
Latha
Total Comments 6
Comments
 |  Another great and informative post from you Latha. I still love to eat roasted peanuts, chikkis, and brittle and stuff. Most of what our elders did was the right thing except that many were not documented for our use and understanding. Glad you added the last few lines. I am also the mom who cooks noodles regularly but add combo of protein and veggies and as a result less noddles. so glad you added the last line. I try and find ways of making healthier food and healthier snacks to keep up.keep blogin... |
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| |  Thank you very much, Chitra for the prompt response. I always believe, that our parents and grand parents looked after us very well. We'll also try to do the same, give in to kids at the same time try and make it healthy as much as we can. It should be interesting for the kids also to like them isn't it? There is no point in our cooking some healthy dish and children don't eat it, actually refuse to eat it!!! We'll meet them half the way.... Latha |
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| | You said it right that the kids should also like the dishes Latha; I could not have said it better; Thats the whole point in cooking so we all enjoy and relish and thank god it sustains the life source in us. As we become more aware of these health related facts our awareness in cooking also increases. I know my son would prefer bindi nicely roasted in oil but I am educating him to see the difference. If you eat healthy you can live a better quality life longer and enjoy so much more. My cooking methods have totally changed from that of my mother and mil because I have to adapt to todays lifestyle. keep bringing more... |
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| | Hi Chitra, There were no refined oils then, only ghee and unrefined oils were used, most of the vegetables were grown at homes, no chemicals there, so whatever we ate was good food. That was the reason for our health in those days. In Kerala they make fresh coconut oil and then use it for cooking. They never use the refined and medicated ones for cooking. Cooking coconut oil is different from the parachute or VVD, which we use only for cosmetic purposes and it easily gets rancid if we do not store it properly and cannot be stored for a long time also Latha |
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| |  Latha, How doI roast nuts without oil ? Suggest me please. Veggies in noodles and pasta is a good idea. I have a grown up kid, home who refuses to eat veggies. Hope you got who this is  ...I have to hide ingredients if I have to make him eat. |
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| | I hope you dont mind me butting in Latha.. Nuts can be dry roasted without any oil..This is what I do..spread the nuts on an oven proof sheet and keep in oven for 10-12 mins. The heat can be set 200 to start with and can be increased upto 275 if planning to be nearby..hope I helped..If oil flavor is really needed please use spray ..they are effective and will serve purpose too.. |
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Recent Blog Entries by Eljaype
- Hair Care III (29th December 2007)
- Hair Care II (17th December 2007)
- Hair Care (16th December 2007)
- EFA's contd (3rd December 2007)
- EFA's Contd. (30th November 2007)
