antioxidant--a substance used to retard the reaction of oxygen in the air with fatty
acids (oxidation) (see “oxidation” below)

ascorbic acid- vitamin C, used as an antioxidant in EFA preparations

Australian study - controlled research trial conducted in school-age children, using capsules containing a high-EPA balanced blend of essential fatty acids including GLA. The study was carried out by Dr. Natalie Sinn and Dr. Janet Bryan at the University of South Australia in Adelaide, published in April 2007 in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (28: 82-91)
One packet of EFA Focus for Kids™ liquid provides daily intake of the active
ingredients (EPA, DHA, GLA) equivalent to that contained in the six capsules per day
administered in the Australian study.

beta-carotene—a yellow-orange substance responsible for the color of certain foods including carrots
See alphabetical listing for "beta-carotene" at Center for Science in the Public Interest-Food Additives

balanced blend of essential fatty acids—a supplement containing particular EFAs in specific amounts and ratios demonstrated to be useful for promoting certain health effects—e.g. the daily intake and proportions of EPA, DHA and GLA shown to
promote classroom learning and healthy mood and behavior in the Oxford-Durham
(see below) and Australian studies (see above).

contaminants—potentially harmful chemical impurities which may be present in foods or nutritional supplements. There is wide variation in contaminant levels in available EFA supplements, depending primarily on the refining techniques used. Contaminants of greatest concern in fatty acid supplements are mercury, other heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, PCBs, dioxins, furans, and PBDE’s. Contaminants may be virtually removed by fractional distillation in conjunction with molecular distillation techniques. (see diagram). As a result of these processes/ EFA Focus for Kids™ meets the most stringent purity standards.
Contaminant analysis of EFA Focus for Kids™

DHA--docosahexaenoic acid—a 22 carbon omega-3 fatty acid containing six
unsaturated carbon bonds, found in high concentration in oils from large fish; it also is produced from marine algae. DHA is an important structural constituent of the human brain, comprising >20% of its dry weight. There is normally minimal turnover of DHA in the body—significant amounts of the DHA molecules currently present in the bodies of most persons actually were acquired during fetal life. High-DHA supplements are recommended during the periods of life when rapid increase in brain size is occurring- -during pregnancy and lactation, in infants, and in toddlers under two years of age. In research trials conducted on learning and behavior in school-age children, high-DHA supplements generally have produced no significant benefit See DHA schoolchildren study

Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid--- a 20-carbon omega-6 fatty acid containing three
unsaturated carbon bonds, produced in the body from GLA. It is a precursor for antiinflammatory substances active at the cellular level and is involved in brain function

Dioxins—a group of toxic organic chemicals consisting of a halogenated carbon ring, produced by some manufacturing and incineration procedures and volcanic eruptions see Department of Health and Human Services-Agency for Toxic Substances

EFA—acronym for essential fatty acid

emulsion-- a mixture of oil and water which has been stabilized to prevent the
components from separating. Mayonnaise is a familiar example of oil-in-water
emulsion. Emulsification changes oily fatty acids to a palatable smooth creamy
consistency, and may improve their absorption into the body see Emulsification Bioavailablity Study

emulsifier—a substance added to an emulsion to stabilize it so that the oil and water will not separate. Lecithin, polysorbate 80 and xanthan gum are emulsifiers utilized in EFA Focus for Kids™ emulsion.

EPA—eicosapentaenoic acid—a 20 carbon omega-3 fatty acid containing five
unsaturated carbon bonds, found in high concentration in oils from small fish.
see Wikipedia-EPA . Its normal turnover rate in the human body is rapid, in contrast to DHA; depletion can occur relatively quickly when intake and/or production are diminished. It is involved in regulation of multiple moment-to-moment cellular functions in various tissues, including brain. EPA produces neuroprotective effects and anti-inflammatory effects in experimental models; it has been reported to produce significant mental health benefits in several clinical research studies

EPA: DHA ratio—this ratio is typically ~1.5 : 1 in oil obtained from small fish, lower in
oil from large fish such as tuna. In some fish from particular areas during certain
months of the year, the EPA ratio may reach ~3:1 . The EPA: DHA ratio of crude fish
oil can be modified with fractional / molecular distillation concentration techniques, as in EFA Focus for Kids™(see diagram). Highly favorable effects of EFA
supplementation on learning and behavior in children have been published only with high-EPA: DHA ratio (~3:1) formulations containing GLA. Pending further study,
supplements with artificially high EPA : DHA ratios which significantly exceed the
maximum naturally occurring ratios are not recommended for general use in children.

essential fatty acid-- a fatty acid required for normal functioning of the body, which
must be obtained directly from the diet because the body cannot manufacture it.
Unsaturated fatty acids of the omega-3 and omega-6 families (see below) are
essential fatty acids. see Fatty Acids ; essential fatty acid interactions

evening primrose oil—oil obtained from the seeds of the evening primrose plant, a source of the highly unsaturated fatty acid GLA (see below)

fractional distillation / molecular distillation—techniques of refining crude oils to
concentrate desirable ingredients and remove contaminants and toxins, based on
differences in volatility and other chemical properties. See diagram illustrating results of fractional distillation processes used in the production of EFA Focus for Kids™

furans—a group of toxic organic chemicals containing an oxygenated carbon ring,
produced by some manufacturing and incineration processes and by volcanic
eruptions

GLA—gamma-linolenic acid--an 18 carbon omega-6 fatty acid containing three
unsaturated carbons bonds, derived from seed oils of evening primrose, borage, and black currant plants; it is not present in significant quantities in ordinary diets.. GLA is the immediate metabolic precursor of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (see above). Organically produced evening primrose oil is the source of the GLA used in EFA Focus for Kids™

high-EPA fish oil—fish oil in which the EPA: DHA ratio (see above) is >3:1

highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA)—a fatty acid containing multiple (>3)
unsaturated carbon bonds. DHA, EPA, and GLA are highly unsaturated fatty acids.

lecithin-- an integral part of human, animal and plant cell membranes, also used as
an emulsifier (see “emulsifier” above)
See alphabetical listing for "lecithin" at Center for Science in the Public Interest-Food Additives

long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid—those polyunsaturated fatty acids containing 20 or more carbon atoms per molecule—primarily EPA and DHA. This term also is sometimes used synonymously with “highly unsaturated fatty acid.”

mercury --a metal which may be released into the environment as a byproduct of
certain manufacturing processes. Methylmercury accumulates in carnivorous fish.
Fetuses and young children are especially vulnerable to the damaging effects of
mercury contamination through fish consumption.
see Department of Health and Human Services-Agency for Toxic Substances
Assayed with the most sensitive detection techniques available, EFA Focus for Kids™ is free of contamination from mercury. Contaminant analysis of EFA Focus for Kids™

Monounsaturated fatty acid--a fatty acid containing one unsaturated carbon bond.
Most are non-essential omega-9 fatty acids.

Natural triglyceride—the natural form of existence of fatty acids, in which three fatty
acid molecules are linked together by a glycerol molecule. Some methods of
concentration and purification of fatty acids produce individual fatty acids in ester
form, separated from the glycerol molecule—the biologic activity of these individual
fatty acid esters may differ from the natural triglyceride forms

omega-3 fatty acid—a subcategory of essential fatty acids in which the first
unsaturated carbon bond in the chain occurs between the third and fourth carbon
atoms (counting from the end of the molecule distant from the oxygen atom).
Aquatic-derived EPA and DHA, as well as their parent EFA precursors (obtained from land-based plants), are omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acid intake is typically markedly lacking in modern diets relying on processed foods. Increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids generally has been associated with beneficial health effects. See Wikipedia--Omega-3 Fatty Acids

omega-6 fatty acid-- a subcategory of essential fatty acids in which the first
unsaturated carbon bond in the chain occurs between the sixth and seventh carbon
atoms (counting from the end of the molecule distant from the oxygen atom). Small
quantities of omega-6 fatty acids are essential; excessive quantities may be
detrimental, largely by competition for metabolic pathways with omega-3 fatty acids
which are generally consumed in smaller amounts. Supplementation with omega-6
fatty acids ordinarily is rational only with those omega-6 fatty acids not provided in
typical diets--e.g. GLA (and in infants, arachidonic acid).

omega-9 fatty acid-- a fatty acid in which the first unsaturated carbon bond in the
chain occurs between the ninth and tenth carbon atoms (counting from the end of the molecule distant from the oxygen atom). Omega-9 fatty acids are non-essential; there is ordinarily no rationale for supplementation.

Oxford-Durham study—controlled elementary school classroom study strongly
supporting benefits of supplementation with a high-EPA fatty acid formulation
containing GLA. The study’s findings were published by Dr. Alex Richardson and Dr.
Paul Montgomery in the US medical journal Pediatrics (2005: 115;1360-1366), and in Chapter 9 of Dr. Richardson’s book “They are what you feed them—how food can
improve your child’s behaviour, mood, and learning” (HarperThorsons, 2006), written for a general audience. The study also is presented on the website of the UK
Durham Local Educational Authority at www.durhamtrial.org
One packet of EFA Focus for Kids™ liquid provides daily intake of the active
ingredients (EPA, DHA, GLA) equivalent to that contained in the six capsules per day
of the EFA supplement administered in the Oxford-Durham study

oxidation-- the reaction of oxygen with a substance resulting in its chemical alteration. Fatty acids which have become chemically altered through oxidation are termed “rancid.” Unsaturated fatty acids are particularly prone to oxidation. When essential fatty acids become oxidized, beneficial effects are lost and potentially harmful substances are formed. Precautions taken to retard oxidation include addition of small amounts of antioxidants (e.g. tocopherols and ascorbic acid), use of packaging materials which eliminate contact with air, and use of a nitrogen atmosphere during manufacture and packaging. Oxidation occurs at the air interface of liquid EFA supplements provided in multiple dose bottles (once the bottle has been opened and oxygen from the air has entered the bottle). Oxygen may also penetrate through gelatin capsules. Maximum protection from oxidation is achieved by packaging individual doses of fatty acid supplements in materials such as aluminum laminate packets which are impermeable to air.

parent essential fatty acids-- shorter chain fatty acids which require further metabolic desaturation and elongation in the body to produce the longer chain fatty acids which actually are essential for health (alpha-linolenic acid designated as the classic parent EFA of the omega-3 family; linoleic acid is designated as the classic parent EFA of the omega-6 family

PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers)-- organic chemicals used as flame retardants in plastics and insulation. PBDE residues may be found in sediments at the bottom of bodies of water, and can accumulate in fatty fish. PBDEs have been implicated in toxicity to the thyroid gland and in neurobehavioral toxicity
see Department of Health and Human Services-Agency for Toxic Substances
Contaminant analysis of EFA Focus for Kids™

PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls)-- a group of toxic organic pollutants.
Production of PCBs has been banned in most countries, but residual contamination of sediments and fish continues see Department of Health and Human Services-Agency for Toxic Substances
Contaminant analysis of EFA Focus for Kids™

polysorbate 80—an emulsifier
See alphabetical listing for "polysorbate 80" at Center for Science in the Public Interest-Food Additives

polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)—a fatty acid containing more than one unsaturated carbon bond in the molecule. also see high unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA)

potassium sorbate—potassium salt of the short chain fatty acid sorbic acid, used to
inhibit mold growth. Its naturally occurring form is found in berries.
See alphabetical listing for "sorbic acid" at Center for Science in the Public Interest-Food Additives

saturated fatty acids— fatty acids containing no unsaturated (“double”) carbon bonds. The mobility of the fatty acid’s carbon chain is constrained because it is saturated with adjacent hydrogen atoms, resulting in these fats typically existing in semisolid states (e.g. butter or lard) at room temperature. Excessive intake of saturated fats may be associated with negative health effects.

stevia—a plant-derived sweetening agent banned from the general food supply in the United States and most European countries. In the United States, stevia is permitted only in dietary supplements. Laboratory studies have suggested that the metabolite steviol (derived from its stevioside component) may be mutagenic (have a potential to induce genetic damage). Daily intake by children or adults of reproductive potential may be inadvisable.
See alphabetical listing for "stevia" at Center for Science in the Public Interest-Food Additives

tocopherols—Vitamin E derivatives, added to EFA preparations as antioxidants

unsaturated carbon bond—a carbon-carbon double bond (in contrast to single carbon bonds in which each carbon atom is “saturated” by bonding with at least two hydrogen atoms). In part because of fewer adjacent hydrogen, unsaturated fatty acids containing double bonds in their carbon chains are less constrained that are saturated fats containing only single carbon bonds, resulting in unsaturated fatty acids typically existing in liquid oil states (e.g. vegetable and fish oils) at room temperature. An unsaturated carbon bond is depicted by a double line in schematic diagrams of fatty acid molecules. The EFA Focus Company logo illustrates a schematic indicating two unsaturated carbon bonds, one at the omega-3 position just under the “E.”

xanthan gum—a naturally produced gum used as emulsifier and thickening agent
see History of Xanthan

xylitol—a natural sweetener derived from bark of birch trees. It has been reported to
have a protective effect on dental caries see Xylitol Information