Vitamin F deficiency can be rare, but it is not uncommon. According to Dr. Eric Berg DCA chiropractor and health educator, vitaminF is an essential fat acid. This means that your body cannot produce it naturally. Berg explains that two-to-one is the ideal ratio of ALA and LA. Due to the Western diet, we often consume ALA and LA in ratios up to twenty to one. This can lead to vitamin F deficiencies. This can lead to dry and flaky skin. Berg warns that such a ratio imbalance could lead more serious issues like an inflamed prostate and vision and heart problems.
To combat vitamin F deficiency, eat more omega-3 food to increase your ALA/LA ratio. Berg recommends foods like avocados, leafy vegetables, almonds, and sunflower seeds. Experts at Mayo ClinicConsider sardines (cod, salmon), light canned tuna and canola as good sources of omega-3s. Avoiding fried foods and junk foods will help improve the balance.
For optimal health, it is important to look at what essential fatty acids are in the foods that you eat. This will help maintain the proper ratio of ALA and LA fats.