From Udo Erasmus's website;

http://www.udoerasmus.com/FAQ.htm#1_2

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Certain fats are defined as 'essential' because:

The body cannot make them;
They are required for normal cell, tissue, gland, and organ function, for
health, and for life;
They must be provided from outside the body, through food or supplements;
They can come only from fats (hence fat-free diets cannot supply them);
Their absence from the diet will eventually kill;
Deficiency results in progressive deterioration unto death;
Return of essential fats to a deficient diet reverses the symptoms of
deficiency and results in a return to health.

According to the above definition of essential, there are only two essential
fats (technically called essential fatty acids or EFAs). One is the omega 3
(n-3) EFA, called alpha-linolenic acid. The other, the omega 6 (n-6) EFA, is
known as linoleic acid.

The body converts the n-3 and n-6 EFAs into several n-3 and n-6 derivatives
with important functions in the body. The best known derivatives of n-3 are
EPA and DHA, which are made by the body and are also found in high fat, cold
water fish. DHA is the major brain n-3. Derivatives of n-6 include GLA
(found in evening primrose oil), DGLA (found in mother's milk), and AA
(found in meat, eggs, and dairy products, as well as in fish). AA is the
major brain n-6.

From the n-3 derivative called EPA, the body makes hormone-like series 3
eicosanoids, and from two n-6 derivatives called DGLA and AA, the body makes
hormone-like series 1 and series 2 eicosanoids, respectively. Eicosanoids
regulate many functions in all tissues on a moment-to-moment basis, from
conception until death. A more comprehensive look at EFAs, derivatives, and
eicosanoids is found on page 20 of Fats That Heal Fats That Kill.

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Marilyn
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