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In this issue of The Quest:

1. The Quest Quote
2. The Quest Question ~ Essential Fatty Acids
3. Did You Know? ~ Wrinkle Shminkle
4. News ~ Upcoming speaking events at FitCity for Women.

Also look for new articles and interviews with Deb in this month’s issues of Shape, Energy, Ms. Fitness and American Fitness.

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1. Quote:
When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves, and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness. - Joseph Campbell

2. Question:
I have dieted for years, trying hard to eliminate fat from my diet in order to lose weight but I recently read in your book that it’s actually necessary to eat fat or more specifically include essential fatty acids in our diet in order to lose weight. Why are these fats good for us?

Answer:
Many still believe that a no-fat diet is the way to go, but the fact is that fat is vital to every cell, tissue and organ, including the eyes and brain. However, it must be the right kind of fat. Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) provide the basic building blocks of various cells in the body. They play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of body tissues. And, like vitamins and minerals, EFA cannot be made by the body and must be supplied by the diet.

Beyond helping us to lose weight, some other health benefits of consuming essential fatty acids are:
1.      Lowering of serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels
2.      Lowering of blood pressure
3.      Lowers the risk of heart disease and death from heart disease
4.      Improved symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis patients
5.      Reduced the frequency and severity of migraine headaches
6.      May help prevent and arrest growth of breast, colon, prostate, and pancreatic cancers
7.      Possible lower incidence of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes
8.      May improve skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis
9.      May be protective in the development of asthma
10.  May be beneficial in children with attention deficit disorder

There are two major categories of EFA, which are both considered polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). These are omega-3 (the major source is alpha-linolenic acid) and omega-6 (the major source is linoleic acid). Omega-3 EFA are found in fresh oily fish (canning causes some loss of EFA) like herring, mackerel, salmon, tuna, and anchovy. Omega-3 EFA are also found in fish oil, flaxseed oil, canola oil, and walnut oil. Omega-6 oils include corn oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, borage oil, grapeseed oil, and primrose oil. Good sources of both omega-3 and omega-6 are Great Northern beans, kidney beans, navy beans, soybeans, and soybean oil. Enjoy!

3. Did You Know?

Most people believe that wrinkles are a natural part of aging, but 90 percent of wrinkles are due to sun exposure. With longer and sunnier days ahead, most of us will start to take our exercise outside, so here are three tips to help keep your skin healthy.

1) Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. -- ultraviolet rays can damage skin, reduce elasticity, and promote wrinkles. Always wear sun block with an SPF of 25 or higher. It's also smart to wear a hat and sunglasses to help shade your face.
2) Don't smoke. Bottom line: smoking causes wrinkles. Scientists suspect that smoke increases a protein in the skin that destroys collagen.
3) Eat a healthy diet. People who eat foods rich in skin-protective antioxidants, such as leafy greens, legumes, and nuts, are less likely to develop wrinkles. The monosaturated fats in olive oil and the omega-3 fatty acids discussed above, found in flax seeds, walnuts, salmon, and hemp seeds may help your skin from wrinkling.

And of course, on the emotional side of things, the less you worry about wrinkles, the less you’ll most likely develop. Keep stress levels in check—we all know that laugh lines are much more attractive then a furrowed brow!

4. News
Deborah’s upcoming lectures offered at Fit City for Women fitness clubs are as follows:

Fit City for Women:
Sunday, May 4^th: FitCity in Richmond: 5631 No. 3 Road at Lansdowne (across from Lansdowne Mall) 6:30pm to 8:00pm 604-276-9997
Sunday, May 18^th: FitCity in Burnaby, 4664 Lougheed Hwy at Beta (across from Brentwood Mall) 6:30pm to 8:00pm 604-293-0001
Sunday, June 1^st: FitCity in Vancouver, 1401 West 8^th Avenue at Hemlock, 6:30pm to 8:00pm 604-733-9991

Look for articles and interviews with Deb in this month’s issues of Shape, Energy, Ms. Fitness and American Fitness.

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The Quest for Peace, Love & a 24-Inch Waist

www.deborahlow.com