Why does Efalex Brain Formula contain Evening Primrose Oil?Updated a day ago
You may have heard that modern diets contain too much omega-6 and not enough omega-3. So why does Efalex Brain Formula contain both?
The answer lies in the different types of omega-6 fatty acids and the important roles they play in the body, including the brain.
Not all omega-6 fatty acids are the same
Most of the omega-6 in our diets comes from linoleic acid (LA), found in foods such as vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.
Efalex Brain Formula contains Evening Primrose Oil, a natural source of Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA), a less common type of omega-6 fatty acid.
Why does Efamol include GLA?
GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid that the body can convert into other important fatty acids, including DGLA (dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid) and arachidonic acid (AA).
AA, alongside DHA, is naturally found in high concentrations in brain cell membranes. Both fatty acids play important structural roles and are involved in normal cell signalling.
Your body can produce GLA from linoleic acid, but this conversion process can vary between individuals. By providing GLA directly through Evening Primrose Oil, Efalex bypasses this initial conversion step.
It's important to note that only a proportion of GLA is ultimately converted into AA, and taking GLA doesn't necessarily increase AA levels in the brain.
Why combine omega-3 and omega-6?
Efalex Brain Formula brings together two different sources of fatty acids:
Omega-3 DHA and EPA from fish oil: DHA is an important structural component of the brain and contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function.*
Omega-6 GLA from Evening Primrose Oil: GLA can be converted into DGLA and AA, fatty acids involved in the body's normal fatty acid metabolism and cell signalling processes.
Rather than focusing on avoiding omega-6 altogether, it's important to ensure your diet provides a variety of essential fatty acids, including sufficient omega-3.
The Efamol approach
Efalex Brain Formula has been carefully developed to combine DHA-rich fish oil with GLA-rich Evening Primrose Oil, providing complementary omega fatty acids in one convenient supplement.
If you have any questions about the ingredients in Efalex Brain Formula, our friendly Customer Service team is happy to help at [email protected].
The beneficial effect of DHA on normal brain function is obtained with a daily intake of 250mg DHA.