Omega 3-6-9 oils are a combination of three types of essential fatty acids.  “Essential” means that the body does not produce the fatty acids on its own and therefore they must be taken in through the diet.  The standard North American diet is deficient in essential fatty acids, especially omega 3s.  Every cell needs essential fatty acids for its cell membrane where the fats make the important barrier that lets other molecules into and out of the cell.

Without the healthy fats cells become porous and chemical or nutrient imbalances can occur.  The essential fats also produce chemical messengers, such as hormones, in the body thus, omega 3-6-9 oils help to optimize hormone levels in both men and women.  Essential fatty acids have been used to treat eczema, psoriasis, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, atherosclerosis, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, menopause and PMS.  They also improve hair and skin, prevent blood clots, improve memory and regulate hormone levels.

There are three categories of EFAs, omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9.  Vegetable-based combination oils usually contain alpha-linolenic acid, ALA, for omega 3, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), for omega 6 and oleic acid, for omega-9.  The sources of the oils are several of the following: flaxseed, borage, black currant, hemp, pumpkin seed, primrose, sunflower or safflower.  Some combination oils include fish oils derived from fish such as herring, cod, mackerel, tuna or salmon.  These oils give the added benefit of containing docosahexanoic acid, DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, two other types of omega 3 fatty acids.

Ensure your omega 3-6-9 supplement is not processed with heat because it damages the acids and creates free radicals.  Some of the damaged fats turn into trans-fatty acids, which are well known for their promotion of cardiovascular disease.  Refrigerate all liquid 3-6-9 supplements and keep capsules away from heat because they can become rancid.  Using liquid EFAs is much more cost effective than capsules because numerous capsules must be taken to make an equivalent amount of liquid oil.

For more information on essential fatty acid sources see the articles on each type of fatty acid or oil.
 

Alpha-linolenic acid is an omega 3 essential fatty acid.  “Essential” means that the body does not produce the fatty acids on its own and therefore they must be taken in through the diet.  Most North American and Western diets are very low in Omega-3 and extremely high in Omega-6.

Too many saturated fats are consumed and the ratio of ingested EFA's averages more like 20:1 Omega-6's to Omega-3's instead of the recommended 4:1.  ALA is found in vegetable oils like canola, flaxseed, soybean and walnut.

ALA helps maintain cholesterol levels because healthy fats build HDL cholesterol.  HDL cholesterol is responsible for moving fat, from storage or plaques, into the liver where processing and excretion of fat occurs.  By decreasing fatty buildup on arteries it helps to regulate blood pressure.  It also provides valuable support for immune system function because many immune cells use omega 3 fats in their cell membrane.  Having a properly functioning membrane allows the cells to do things like release packets of chemicals when they come in contact with foreign invaders.  Since healthy fats play a large role in hormone formation, ALA can thus help optimize hormone levels and strengthen male fertility.

Ensure your ALA supplement is not processed with heat because it damages the acids and creates free radicals.  Some of the damaged fats turn into trans-fatty acids, which are well known for their promotion of cardiovascular disease.  Refrigerate all liquid ALA supplements and keep capsules away from heat because they can become rancid.  Using liquid ALA, in the form of flaxseed oil is much more cost effective than capsules because numerous capsules must be taken to make an equivalent amount of liquid oil.  Ground flaxseeds also contain some EFAs along with fiber.  Golden flaxseed contains more ALA than the same amount of brown flaxseed.
 

GLA helps to make the sheath (myelin) that surrounds the nerves that conduct messages from the brain to the muscles and organs of your body, performing a similar function to the insulation sheathing of electrical wires.  If this protective sheath degenerates (as in MS), a "shorting out" of the message that the nerve is carrying occurs. Since healthy fats play a large role in hormone formation, borage oil can thus help optimize hormone levels in both men and women.  GLA supplements are used to treat atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, arthritis, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, PMS, menopausal discomforts, multiple sclerosis and liver cirrhosis.

Borage seed oil contains a significantly higher concentration of GLA than other GLA supplements. Ensure your borage supplement is not processed with heat because it damages the acids and creates free radicals.  Some of the damaged fats turn into trans-fatty acids, which are well known for their promotion of cardiovascular disease.  Refrigerate all liquid borage supplements and keep capsules away from heat because they can become rancid.
 

CLA is an essential fatty acid.  This means that CLA must be taken in through the diet because the body has no ability to produce it through the conversion of other fatty substances.  Changes in commercial animal raising practices have drastically decreased the amount of CLA that is available in milk and meat products. CLA is responsible for moving dietary fats into cells.  It also moves glucose (sugar) into cells so that it can be used to make energy, rather than being stored as fat. 

It also enhances the immune system and is a potent antioxidant, although its exact mechanism for these functions is not fully understood.

CLA has gained popularity for its use in weight loss.  It decreases body fat, improves muscle tone and increases lean muscle mass.  It also increases exercise tolerance or, the length of time that one can exercise.

CLA can be purchased in soft gel capsules.  The supplements vary in price depending on the amount of CLA that is available in each capsule.  Some companies have patented processes that increase the yield of CLA from their chosen source, usually vegetable oil.
 

Thus fish liver oils prevent and reverse rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.  The essential fatty acid, DHA, in fish liver oils is an essential component of the brain and central nervous system.  It seems to concentrate in areas where there is lots of electrical activity, such as the synaptosomes, where nerve cells communicate, and the photoreceptors of the eye.  This is why a deficiency of DHA can result in poor brain development, attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, memory problems and poor visual development.   Topically applied, cod/halibut liver oil contributes to faster wound healing and improvement in skin quality sue to it’s vitamin A content.

Cod/halibut liver oil contains more vitamin A and more vitamin D per unit weight than any other common food. In addition, they contain 7 percent each of the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, and small amounts of vitamin K.  Some fish liver oil supplements are altered from their normal nutrient ratios to provide more or less of the above mentioned nutrients.  Children, and pregnant or nursing women, should use caution when using fish liver oils because of their fat-soluble vitamin content.

Cod/halibut liver oil can be purchased as liquid, flavoured liquid or soft gel capsules.  All cod/halibut liver oil supplements in North America are tested for contaminants.  Choose a reputable supplement because proper processing of the oil is important to prevent rancidity.  Although it is not necessary, refrigerate liquid supplements and keep capsules away from heat to increase their shelf life.

The fat-soluble vitamins in fish liver oils are best absorbed with a meal that contains fat.  Absorption of vitamin A, D and K is inhibited by some medications including antibiotics, antacids, steroids, laxatives, mineral oil and some cholesterol lowering medications.
 

Docosahexanoic acid is an omega 3 essential fatty acid.  It is an essential component of the brain and central nervous system.  It seems to concentrate in areas where there is lots of electrical activity such as the synaptosomes, where nerve cells communicate, and the photoreceptors of the eye.  This is why a deficiency of DHA can result in poor brain development, attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, memory problems and poor visual development.
 

Supplementation of DHA is especially important in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children.  Some infant formulas are now fortified with DHA because, in the past, formula has contained less essential fatty acids than breast milk.

DHA can be taken in through the diet by eating fish or fish oil.  The body can also convert alpha linolenic acid (ALA), from vegetable sources like flaxseeds, into DHA.  However, the standard North American diet is deficient in essential fatty acids, especially omega 3s and very few individuals have enough excess ALA to meet the body’s need for DHA.  Supplemental DHA is usually made from tuna, salmon, herring, mackerel or sardines.  These fish contain more omega 3 rich fat than other fish species.  Cod liver and halibut liver oils also contain some omega 3s but are primarily used for their vitamin A and D content.  Some newer fish liver oils have been fortified with DHA and may be an economical choice for those individuals taking both DHA and liver oils.

DHA supplements are found as liquid oil (processed to remove the fishy taste), soft gel chewables (flavoured) and standard soft gel capsules.  Children favour DHA liquids and flavoured soft gel chewables.  Fish liver oil supplements should be used cautiously in children, pregnant and nursing women because of the toxicity of fat-soluble vitamins.

Ensure your fish oil supplement is not processed with heat because it damages the acids and creates free radicals.  It is important to purchase a good quality DHA supplement that has been tested for contaminants.  Refrigerate all liquid DHA supplements and keep capsules away from heat to increase shelf life.  Using liquid DHA is much more cost effective than capsules because numerous capsules must be taken to make an equivalent amount of liquid oil.
 

Eicosapentaenoic acid is an omega 3 essential fatty acid.  It is an important fatty acid in the maintenance of cardiovascular health and the regulation of inflammation.  EPA is a precursor to a series of chemicals whose job it is to regulate the inflammatory effects of arachidonic acid.  Too much arachidonic acid leads to pain and inflammation in conditions such as arthritis.  Arachidonic acid also causes inflammation in arteries and leads to the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Deficiency of EPA can result in cardiac arrhythmias, high cholesterol and excessive aging.  EPA has been used to treat heart disease, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

EPA can be taken in through the diet by eating fish or fish oil.  The body can also convert alpha linolenic acid (ALA), from vegetable sources like flaxseeds, into EPA.  However, the standard North American diet is deficient in essential fatty acids, especially omega 3s and very few individuals have enough excess ALA to meet the body’s need for EPA.  Supplemental EPA is usually made from tuna, salmon, herring, mackerel or sardines.  These fish contain more omega 3 rich fat than other fish species.  Cod liver and halibut liver oils also contain some omega 3s but are primarily used for their vitamin A and D content.  Some newer fish liver oils have been fortified with EPA and may be an economical choice for those individuals taking both EPA and liver oils.

EPA supplements are found as liquid oil (processed to remove the fishy taste), soft gel chewables (flavoured) and standard soft gel capsules.  Fish liver oil supplements should be used cautiously in children, pregnant and nursing women because of the toxicity of fat-soluble vitamins.

Ensure your fish oil supplement is not processed with heat because it damages the acids and creates free radicals.  It is important to purchase a good quality EPA supplement that has been tested for contaminants.  Refrigerate all liquid EPA supplements and keep capsules away from heat to increase shelf life.  Using liquid EPA is more cost effective than capsules because numerous capsules must be taken to make an equivalent amount of liquid oil.
 

Flaxseeds are a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega 3 essential fatty acid.  “Essential” means that the body does not produce the fatty acids on its own and therefore they must be taken in through the diet.  Most North American and Western diets are very low in Omega-3 and extremely high in Omega-6.
 

Too many saturated fats are consumed and the ratio of ingested EFA's averages more like 20:1 Omega-6's to Omega-3's instead of the recommended 4:1.

The ALA in flaxseed oil helps maintain cholesterol levels because healthy fats build HDL cholesterol.  HDL cholesterol is responsible for moving fat, from storage or plaques, into the liver where processing and excretion of fat occurs.  By decreasing fatty buildup on arteries it helps to regulate blood pressure.  It also provides valuable support for immune system function because many immune cells use omega 3 fats in their cell membrane.  Having a properly functioning membrane allows the cells to do things like release packets of chemicals when they come in contact with foreign invaders.  Since healthy fats play a large role in hormone formation, ALA can thus help optimize hormone levels and strengthen male fertility.  Studies show that ALA is an anti-inflammatory compound that is beneficial for the treatment of arthritis.

Ensure your flaxseed oil is cold-pressed because heat damages the acids and creates free radicals.  Some of the damaged fats turn into trans-fatty acids, which are well known for their promotion of cardiovascular disease.  Refrigerate all liquid flaxseed oil supplements and keep capsules away from heat because they can become rancid.  Using flaxseed oil is much more cost effective than capsules because numerous capsules must be taken to make an equivalent amount of liquid oil.  Do not use flaxseed oil for cooking or frying.

Ground flaxseeds are also used as a nutritional supplement.  They contain some EFAs along with fiber, magnesium and potassium.  Golden flaxseed contains more fatty acids than the same amount of brown flaxseed.