Efamarine for healthy skin, hair and nails

Efamarine is a combination of evening primrose oil and fish oils to assist in a variety of conditions such as skin problems, arthritis, high cholesterol and blood pressure, heart disease, PMS and Candida.

Efamarine to nourish our skin, hair & nails

Our skin, hair and nails are the most visible parts of our bodies. Because we can see and touch them, they play an important role in shaping our self-image. Their condition and appearance not only affects how we feel but it also reflects our general state of health.

Our skin is the largest and one of the most important organs in the body. It protects our entire body against injury and damage by environmental factors, both climatic and chemical. As part of our immune system, it shields us against bacteria and other infectious agents.

Hair protects our scalp and keeps our head warm. Like all living things, our skin and its modified forms - hair and nails, require nourishment to stay healthy and to carry out repair when damaged. A wide range of nutrients are needed for these body parts including essential fatty acids.

What are essential fatty acids (EFA)?

EFAs are those fatty acids that cannot be made by the body and which must be supplied through our diet. These EFAs are also known as polyunsaturates and are recommended in order to lower cholesterol and blood pressure and to reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes.

One of the two essential fatty acids is linoleic acid. Primrose and black currant oil contain high amounts of linoleic acid.

The other essential fatty acid is alpha-linolenic acid. This fatty acid is primarily found in linseeds (flaxseeds), walnuts, soy products, pumpkin seeds and deep-sea fish.

Salmon, mackerel, herrings and sardines are good sources of fish oils (EPA and DHA fatty acids) because they have the highest fat content and provide more omega-3 fats than other fish.

What are essential fatty acids used for in the body?

As long ago as the 1930s, it was known that EFAs are vital for healthy skin, hair and nails. As key structural components of cell walls, they ensure the flexibility of cells, which gives our skin its smoothness and suppleness.

EFAs (often referred to as Vitamin F in cosmetics) also prevent water loss from the skin. As water is lost, the skin becomes dry, rough and loses its firmness. Insufficient intake of EFAs, which often occurs when we reduce our fat intake, results in loss of skin elasticity and dryness and increases our susceptibility to premature ageing.

EFAs are found in our food. However, not everyone can make full use of these EFAs. Factors like stress, age, poor diet (ie alcohol, nutrient deficiencies, trans fatty acids), infection and certain diseases (arthritis, diabetes, cancer) can block the body's ability to produce and utilise enzymes to elongate these substances. Because of this, our body's reserves of EFAs may become depleted, which can lead to a wide range of health problems.

Generally, the best sources of EFAs are the oils from various seeds, such as the seeds of Evening Primrose. This contains 2 essential fatty acids that are important for healthy skin, hair and nails.

Regular cooking oils are of limited use because of damage, which occurs during processing of the oil.

Cosmetics may be used to moisturise the skin, but these do not change its fundamental structure. Efamarine works by enhancing the fine structure of the skin and by reducing water loss, thereby improving both skin smoothness and suppleness.

What health problems can Efamarine help with?

The essential fatty acids found in Efamarine have desirable effects on many disorders in the body. They reduce blood pressure, aid in the prevention of arthritis, reduce the growth rate of breast cancer, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and help eczema, psoriasis and arteriosclerosis.

Found in high concentrations in the brain, EFAs aid transmission of nerve impulses and are needed for normal brain function.

EFAs are also needed in the treatment of Candida and coronary heart disease and to minimise blood clot formation. As well as this, the gamma linoleic acid found in evening primrose oil is known to prevent hardening of the arteries, heart disease, premenstrual syndrome, multiple sclerosis and high blood pressure. It has a positive effect on sex hormone response, including the hormones estrogen and testosterone. It aids in lowering cholesterol levels and is important in treating cirrhosis of the liver. It is also very important in relieving pain and inflammation, especially when related to arthritis, rheumatism and repetitive strain injury.

What about during and after menopause?

Of particular importance to women during and after menopause is the role of EFAs in increasing calcium absorption from the diet and reducing calcium loss in urine. This enhances calcium levels in the body and helps maintain strong bones.

Can it help with arthritis?

Joint stiffness and pain, perhaps the result of earlier sports injuries or from years of wear and tear, often become a problem as we grow older. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed for arthritis, but side effects are not uncommon. Efamarine capsules influence the production of the body's own anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.

What is the difference between Efamol oils and other companies' oils?

Most evening primrose oils are chemically refined or "purified" following extraction of the oil from the seed. Refining cleans up the oil, allowing cheaper, low quality or dirty oils to be used. The process includes filtering, bleaching and deodorising. As well as removing seed particles left after cold pressing, refining removes most of the natural antioxidants found in evening primrose oil. By removing the antioxidants, the refined oil becomes unstable and susceptible to oxidation, which can produce potentially dangerous peroxides. As well as this, the heat used in the refining can damage the oil.

Efamol has developed special ways of carefully extracting the oil from the seed to retain its original plant antioxidants and leave the oil in its natural state. In fact, studies have shown that Efamol evening primrose oil, when encapsulated, remains unchanged - even after 5 years.

In a recent survey of 30 evening primrose oils on the UK market, only Efamol and 1 other brand contained normal levels of the oil's natural antioxidant (measured by phospholipid and sterol levels); and of 6 leading brands available in New Zealand, only Efamol retained its natural levels.

Who would benefit from taking Efamarine and what are the ingredients of each capsule?

Everyone would benefit from taking this product, but particularly if you suffer from any of the ailments mentioned above. However, if you have diabetes, you should check with your health care professional before taking this product.

Each 1063mg capsule contains:

Initially high doses, 3-4 1063mg capsules per day for adults may be required to restore the body's store of EFAs. After two to three months, the dose can gradually be reduced to a maintenance level, generally 2 capsules a day. Changes in circumstances, ie stress or viral infections may increase requirements.

Benefits from taking this product develop slowly and gradually. A three month supplementation is recommended before making a judgement on this supplement. Capsules should ideally be taken after meals with a glass of cold water. Efamol products may be taken when breastfeeding.

Efamol have a wide range of products in their range, these include:

Primrose Relief containing 1000mg of Evening Primrose Oil

Ostical Fortify containing EPO, marine oils and calcium

Efalex Ability for proper eye & brain function and learning difficulties

Hyperactivity, ADD, Efantal taken during pregnancy

Efaprost for a healthy prostate gland

Efacoat for cats and dogs

At Ideal Health we also stock a number of other brands of oil supplements. These include EPO and Fish Oil in individual capsules. We also stock a capsule with identical ingredients to Efamarine, however this is found in an enteric-coated capsule, to prevent any bounce back of fish oil.