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Autism Therapy: essential fatty acids (EFA)definition of essential fatty acids (EFA): Type of fatty acid that must be provided in the dietin order to meet the needs of the body and brain. They have to come from the diet

because the body cannot make them from other nutrients.

Essential Fatty Acids and Children with AutismPublished Nov 6, 2009, last updated Dec 21, 2009

What is it?

Essential fatty acids(EFAs) are compounds that cannot be made by the body, but are required for many crucial biochemical processes. There are two groups of EFAs: omega-6

and omega-3. The relative levels of these two groups of EFAsare critical to the health and development of the brain and the body. If the level of omega-6is much higher than the

level of omega-3in the diet, there can be negative effects on cognition, mood, and behavior (1-4).

The ideal ratio between these EFAshas been estimated at 2.3:1 omega-6to 1 omega-3(5). Most American dietsprovide too many omega-6EFAsand not enough omega-3EFAs,

giving a ratio estimated at between 10:1 and 20:1 omega-6to 1 omega-3(2-5).

Grains, processed foods, meat, milk, eggs, and corn oil all contain omega-6EFAs(3, 4); olive oil and walnuts contain high levels of omega-3EFAs(3). Eggs contain omega-6and

omega-3EFAs, and eggs labeled omega-3eggs are from chickens fed a special dietto increase omega-3concentrations in the eggs. However, the best sources of omega-3

EFAscome from fatty fish such as cod, halibut, mackerel, herring, trout, sardines, and salmon (2-5).

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P 5 f 5A ti Th ti l f tt id (EFA) | H li Th h ld

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