Nutraceuticals and nootropics for anti-aging

Essential fatty acids, chronic fatigue, and the obesity epidemic

An association between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and a shortage of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) has been suspected since the early 1990s, and many people with CFS have been treating themselves with various EFA supplements ever since. Lots of anecdotal evidence has been accumulating to support this approach to treating CFS, but it has received scant attention from medical researchers. Now, finally, a study has been published showing that patients with CFS really do benefit from supplementation with the essential fatty acid called ‘EPA’ (eicosapentaenoic acid) — an ‘omega-3’ fatty acid found in cold-water fish and in dietary supplements such as LifeLink’s DHA Complex. The researchers report that all patients “showed improvement in their symptomatology within eight to 12 weeks.”

Link to research report:

The use of eicosapentaenoic acid in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Link to earlier discussion of CFS and Essential Fatty Acid deficiency:

Eicosanoids and essential fatty acid modulation in chronic disease and the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Link to discussion of causes of CFS:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

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Speaking of Essential Fatty Acids: there have been recent news reports about Dr. Udo Erasmus, who has written a book about EFAs in which he asserts that EFA deficiencies are becoming a serious health problem in the U.S. The same is probably true of other English-speaking countries, where low-fat diets have become commonplace as treatments for heart ailments and obesity. Efforts to stem the current obesity ‘epidemic’ should be accompanied by the promotion of EFA supplements — otherwise we will likely see a generation of people with various symptoms of EFA deficiency.

Link to news article about Udo Erasmus:

Low-fat diets trigger health crisis for baby boomers

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LifeLink carries several products containing essential fatty acids:

DHA Complex (Fish Oil), Evening Primrose Oil, Flaxseed Oil, and Hemp Seed Oil.