Nowadays, there are various chronic diseases making their way to people. With the increased awareness on these diseases, most people are making major choices and changes on their lifestyle habits and behaviours to accommodate practices and habits that serve to protect and improve the quality of their health. Some of these healthy lifestyle habits that you should engage in to effectively improve the quality of your overall health include routine workout and healthy dieting. Healthy dieting is very important for your health as it takes care of your overall health from the inside. Although the intake of foods rich in fats is highly discouraged by doctors and specialist because they lead to increased body weight that is closely associated with various weight-related complications, there are some fats that are essential for your body. Some of these foods include essential fatty acids. These are healthy and safe foods that make up some of the essential nutrients to facilitate various processes and systems such as endocannabinoid system.
The facts
To maintain an overall healthy condition, it is crucial to ensure that you consume a balanced diet that encompasses all the four types of food that include proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and essential fatty acids. There are two types of essential fatty acids that form the foundation of endocannabinoid system and they include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. According to a recent research, people do not consume the required and balanced ratio of the two fats rather they consume either of them in excess which is not appropriate for your health. Identification of the appropriate and right sources of essential fats is very important to avert the risks of contracting various weight-related diseases such as obesity, arthritis, blood pressure and heart-related complications.
The major and conventional source of essential fatty acids is fish meat and some nuts and seeds. Omega-6 fats are more locally available because they can be obtained from vegetable oils and that is the reason why most people consume these fats in excess. Both types of essential fatty acids are not only important for your weight loss process but also your overall health and wellbeing. In addition, you have to keep in mind that your body is not in a position to manufacture these fats like the other types of fats from foods and other raw materials. The fatty acids are very crucial for your health because they form part of the cell membranes hence affecting the functioning of the cell receptors located in these membranes. Other major functions of these essential fatty acids include regulation of blood clotting, manufacture of hormones, controlling contraction, facilitating the production of endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors, relaxation of artery walls and reducing inflammation.
Role of essential fatty acids on the endocannabinoid system
Both types of the essential fatty acids are very important for the healthy functioning of the endocannabinoid system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you consume them according to the appropriate and balanced ratio because both fats are metabolised via the same pathway and excess consumption of either of these fats inhibit the other’s metabolism. According to specialists, omega-3 fats are very important because they posses anti-inflammatory properties whereas the omega-6 fats are equally important because they contain pro-inflammatory properties both of which are very vital for the endocannabinoid system. In addition, both types of fats are known to reduce high levels of triglyceride hence protecting you from cardiovascular damage. But you have to keep in mind that the two fats work hand in hand and you have to maintain the appropriate ratio to enhance proper functioning of the two fatty acids. Ensure you do not consume either of these fats in excess because it can lead to the development of some health complications such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory diseases and autoimmune disorders.
Fatty acids deficiency abolishes endocannabinoid-mediated neural functions
The endocannabinoid system is responsible for enhancing the functioning of various neural transmitters in the body. Therefore, lack or deficiency in both types of the fatty acids leads to serious impairment in the neural functioning. Specifically, a deficiency in omega-3 fats uncouples some receptors making them functionless hence interfering with your emotional behaviour. But you have to ensure that you maintain the right and required ratio of the two fatty acids to facilitate proper functions of both types of the fats. In addition, you should ensure you engage in healthy dieting habits because some of the unhealthy dieting habits may end up inhibiting the proper functioning and synthesis of various types of fatty acids.
Conclusion
Although many specialists and doctors discourage the consumption of foods rich in fats due to the risks of increasing weight-related diseases such as arthritis, blood pressure, obesity and heart-related complications, there are some fats such as essential fatty acids that are vital for your overall health. For many years, these fats have been used to boost various processes and systems in the body and improve the condition of your heart and prevent the risks of contracting various diseases. But it is very important to ensure you consume these fatty acids according to the right and required ratios for proper functioning and synthesis.
References:
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