EFA™ Powder

454gm

EFA Powder

Kirkman’s EFA™ Powder is a multifunctional nutritional food that’s first-class in supporting good health. It furnishes omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, along with the much needed protein and fiber, in a scrumptious, easy to use (see next section) variety that makes it simple for parents to supplement these crucial nutrients to the entire family.

EFA stands for "essential fatty acids". The word "essential" as utilized in describing omega-3 and omega-6 compounds implies that the body can’t produce them on its own, so they must be consumed in our diet. Essential fatty acids are either omega-3 oils or omega-6 oils. A few sources of omega-3 are: cod liver oil, flax oil, flaxseed, fish oils, and green leafy vegetables. A few nuts also contain omega-3s (e.g., walnuts). Omega-6 sources are: corn oil, black current oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil, wheat germ oil, soy oil, plus a lot of other cooking oils.

Just about all processed foods are very high in omega-6s. Essential fatty acids play vital roles in body structure and function. As a matter of fact, life can’t be supported without them. A few are converted to modulating compounds called prostaglandins in the body; these prostaglandins, as well as essential fatty acids, are responsible for sustaining the critical body functions listed below:

• division of cells (growth and healing processes)
• maintaining health of cell membranes
• muscle reflexes
• nerve transmission
• pressure regulation in the eye, joints and blood vessels
• providing energy to the heart muscle
• oxygen transport from cells to tissues
• response to pain, swelling and inflammation
• supporting immune response

Essential fatty acids are oftentimes addressed by their chemical names.

Omega-3 compounds are:

• EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
• DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
• alpha-linolenic acid
• alpha-linoleic acid

Omega-6 compounds are:

• linoleic acid
• gamma-linoleic acid
• gamma-linolenic acid
• arachidonic acid

The balance of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids

The most recent scientific research has confirmed the view that essential fatty acids must be in balance in our diet. Omega-3 and omega-6 use should be well-balanced. It’s usually suggested that omega-6 consumption should be approximately four times as much as omega-3. Additionally, it’s suggested by the medical community that saturated fat use should be restricted. Saturated fats are found in butter, margarine and lard. All omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated.

Regrettably, a lot of peoples’ diets don’t accomplish those recommended proportions. Most North American and Western diets are very low in omega-3 and exceedingly high in omega-6. Too many saturated fats are consumed, and the ratio of ingested EFAs averages more like 20:1 omega-6s to omega-3s rather than the recommended 4:1. Thisis due to the fact that poor quality cooking oils and most refined and processed foods contain omega-6 oils. In addition, the overall consumption of omega-3 rich foods is often very low. In some people, omega-3 consumption is completely absent. Moreover, in some geographical regions, people avoid fish because of industrial contaminants.

Kirkman® offers a lot of different choices for essential fatty acid supplementation, from stabilized flaxseed to an assortment of fish oil products. Kirkman™ tests all of its products for environmental contaminants.

Overview of Kirkman’s EFA™

EFA™ is a high quality, uniquely processed milled flaxseed product that is comprised of not only essential fatty acids, but also fiber and amino acids. Special processing of flaxseed by our supplier of the milled seeds has made it possible for Kirkman® to provide this superior quality essential fatty acid product. Special processing includes:

• Selecting only dry, well-matured, uniform-colored seeds that are free of extraneous material, microbiological pathogens and mold.
• A specialized cleaning process that removes small and unsuitable, immature seeds that contain chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a pro-oxidant that can induce imbalance or degradation of some flaxseed.
• A special milling procedure deviod of excess heat ensures no deterioration, as often happens with improperly milled flaxseed.

These steps assure a stable, exceptionally pure product with nutritional integrity. Per 5 gram serving (one large teaspoon), EFA is comprised of 41% fatty acids (2 grams), 28% dietary fiber (1.2 grams) and 22% protein (1.1 grams). The protein present is comprised of a complete amino acid profile. Of the fatty acids present, 57% are polyunsaturated omega-3s and 16% are polyunsaturated omega-6s. EFA™ is a smooth tasting milled powder that can be easily incorporated into the diet. (See the section on how to use EFA™.)

Kirkman’s EFA™ incorporates 3.5 times the amount of polyunsaturated omega-3s in relation to Omega-6s. The ingestion of EFA™ helps counteract the imbalance of essential fatty acids the average person’s diet supplies by contributing an abundance of the often-lacking omega-3s.

Other advantages of EFA™

Kirkman’s EFA™ consists of 22% protein. This protein is considered a "complete protein" because it contains all of the essential amino acids required by our bodies. Along with the fatty acids, EFA™ is a good way of getting some protein into the diet. This protein is non-animal and non-dairy, as well as gluten free — all obvious considerations in some special needs diets.

EFA™ also consists of 28% dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Its fiber is similar in action and structure to oat bran, but is gluten free. Fiber is important for good health. It is also accepted now in the medical community that dietary fiber helps support healthy levels of cholesterol that are already in the normal range.

It is interesting to note that, prior to 1990, most infant formulas contained very low levels of essential fatty acids — especially omega-3s. Today, virtually all infant formulas are supplemented with omega-3s. Experts agree that infant formulas should be designed to approximate the fatty acid composition of breast milk, which isespecially high in alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3 supplementation in infants is required for the optimal development of the nervous system and for the maturation of visual acuity. These facts help validate the increasing awareness of the need for EFA™ consumption.

How to use EFA™

EFA™ has a pleasant, nutty flavor that can be easily incorporated in foods. It can be sprinkled on cereal, or it can be mixed in applesauce, mashed potatoes, pudding or any other viscous food. Ice cream or sherbet are other good vehicles. Most individuals really like the taste, and the product has a somewhat crunchy consistency. However, some individuals might not like the taste or texture of EFA™. Fortunately, there are many options to help with administration. Because the flaxseed in the product is specially processed to remove unstable seeds and oxidants, it can be used in baking and still maintain nearly 100% of its nutritional value. The Flax Council of Canada tested the type of flaxseed used in EFA™ and came up with the following very important conclusions and printed statements:

• "A protective mechanism appeared to be present in the milled samples which prevented oxidative deterioration."
• "For both milled samples and bread prepared from the milled samples, panelists were not able to detect flavor differences between fresh and stored samples."
• The Health Protection Branch of the Food Directorate of Health Canada tested the stability of flaxseed fatty acids in storage and when used in baking, and issued the following conclusions: "Both the oxygen consumption test and the analysis of fatty acid composition demonstrated that whole flaxseed and ground flaxseed were stable at room temperature. No detectable changes were noted during 44 weeks of storage at room temperature nor at 44 weeks at 4 degrees C."
• "It appears that ground flaxseed alone readily absorbs oxygen under typical baking conditions, but this does not markedly affect its fatty acid composition. We conclude that flaxseed is stable during baking."

Baking is an easy way to get individuals to ingest EFA™. Kirkman® and many of our associates have successfully incorporated EFA™ in baking. We have produced great tasting bread, cookies, doughnuts, pancakes, muffins, and other foodstuffs. All were casein and gluten free and included significant amounts of EFA™.

For baking uses, EFA™ can be substituted for the fat used in baking at a ratio of 3 to 1. For instance, 1 ½ cups can be substituted for ½ cup of butter, margarine, shortening or cooking oil in a traditional recipe. Since products made with flaxseed brown rapidly, cooking times should be followed cautiously. The stability of flaxseed in baking was tested at temperatures between 350 and 375 degrees F, so these temperatures shouldn’t be surpassed.

EFA™ suggested use:

EFA Powder

How much EFA™ should I use?

There is no absolute dosage for supplementation with essential fatty acids. A great deal depends on how much is consumed in the regular diet. As a guideline, adults should supplement with a minimum of 10 grams (two large teaspoons) up to 20 grams daily of EFA™, and children should use 5 grams (one large teasoon) to 10 grams daily. That dosage translates into each teaspoon of EFA™ supplying 2 grams of fatty acids. Of those two grams, about 1.2 grams will be omega-3.

Also, the dosage doesn’t have to be the identical every day. A bit more or less on a given day isn’t vital, nor is there any risk of overdose. Whenever one ingests fish or fish oil, the intake of EFA™ for that day can be decreased to a lower level. Since EFA™ incorporates 3.5 times the omega-3s to omega-6s, it will automatically help balance the overconsumption of omega-6 oils from processed foods, fried foods or "junk foods", but as suggested before, people should attempt to minimize saturatedfat intake. If a fatty acid profile test has been done, your doctor should also assist in ascertaining your day-to-day needs for essential fatty acids. Those people who have exceedingly poor diets should consume higher amounts.

How should I store EFA™?

EFA™should be kept in the refrigerator. Stability testing was done on closed containers; so, to guarantee freshness after opening, the product should be refrigerated. It should also be protected from light, especially sunlight or fluorescent light.

EFA Powder Ingredients:

EFA Powder