As people age, chronic systemic inflammation can inflict degenerative effects throughout the body.1-5A primary cause of this destructive cascade is the production ofcell-signaling chemicals known as inflammatory cytokines. Along withthese dangerous cytokines, imbalances of hormone-like messengers calledprostaglandins also contribute to chronic inflammatory processes.

The body needs fatty acids to survive and is able to make all buttwo of them: linoleic acid, in the omega-6 family and linolenic acid,in the omega-3 family. These two fatty acids must be supplied by thediet and are therefore considered essential fatty acids (EFAs).

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold-water fish (and fish oil), andperilla and flaxseed oils, can be part of a healthy diet. Omega-3 oilscontain the essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) anddocosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are usually lacking in the typicalWestern diet that includes high amounts of omega-6 fats.6

Omega-6 fatty acids are well supplied in the diet by meat andvegetable oils. However, not all omega-6 fatty acids are of equalvalue. Gamma linolenic acid (GLA), found in evening primrose oil,borage oil, and black currant oil is an important fatty acid that playsa beneficial role in healthy prostaglandin formation.7*What you eat also contributes to the production of inflammatorycytokines. Eating foods cooked at high temperature can cause theformation of advanced glycation end (AGE) products.8Glycation is the binding of a protein molecule to a glucose moleculethat results in the formation of damaged protein structures. As thedamaged proteins accumulate, they activate the production ofinflammatory cytokines. Presently there is no way to reverse theeffects of glycation.

Flaxseed oil has been a well-established source of essential fattyacids for centuries. It is an especially rich source of the omega-3,alpha-linolenic acid, which is in short supply in most other seed oils.95 This is a cold extracted, unrefined organic product of Omega Nutrition supplied by Jarrow Formulas®.

Those taking anticoagulant drugs like Coumadin® (warfarin) shouldinform their doctor that they are taking GLA, EPA, or DHA supplements,as the physician may want to adjust the dose of anticoagulantmedication based on tests that measure coagulation factors such astemplate bleeding time.

Since GLA, EPA, and DHA interfere with blood clotting, those whosuffer from any type of hemorrhagic disease related to excessivebleeding or blood vessel leakage should consult their physician beforesupplementing these fatty acids.