Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are crucial for optimal health because the body cannot produce them on its own. Therefore, if one is lacking essential fatty acids in their daily diet through food and/or supplementation, it can lead to serious issues.
Mount Sinai Hospital’s website lists symptoms of deficiency as fatigue, poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings or depression and poor circulation. Furthermore, when it comes to pregnancy, “infants who do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids from their mothers during pregnancy are at risk for developing vision and nerve problems.”
According to an article published in Practical Gastroenterology by Carol Rees Parrish, MS, RD, series editor and Kris M. Mogensen, MS, RD-AP, LDN, CNSC team leader dietitian specialist, Department of Nutrition, Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston, MA) titled “Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency,” there are several risk factors associated with EFA deficiency. These include inflammatory bowel disease; massive bowel resection; enterocutaneous fistulas involving the small bowel; cystic fibrosis; pancreatic insufficiency; bariatric surgery; long-term parenteral nutrition with limited or no intravenous fat emulsion provision; intravenous fat emulsion shortage; carnitine deficiency; extreme oral diet or enteral fat restriction; and chyle leaks requiring long-term fat-restricted diets.
As far as symptoms, Mogensen’s article divides them into biochemical and physical. Biochemical symptoms include elevated triene:tetraene ratio; elevated liver function tests; hyperlipidemia; thrombocytopenia; and altered platelet aggregation. Physical symptoms include dry, scaly rash; hair loss; hair depigmentation; poor wound healing; growth restriction in children; and increased susceptibility to infection.
Thankfully, EFA deficiency is uncommon in the U.S.; however, if it there is a risk factor or symptoms are present, it is important to address the issue and adjust EFA intake accordingly with a health care practitioner.
For more information, visit www.med.virginia.edu.
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