Essential Fatty Acids, or EFA's are very important building blocks for the body. Found in a well-balanced diet and often supplemented with fish oil caplets, EFA's increase body performance and overall health and general vitality. They are a necessary and wise addition to any bodybuilding supplement regimen, as well as for any person looking to improve health.

In terms of overall health, and perhaps most important to young bodybuilders, EFA's promote good circulation. The ability to move increased amounts of blood to different parts of the body increases the likelihood that essential amino acids will be delivered to muscle tissue. Especially post-workout, the ability to move protein-rich blood to the trained area directly affects whether new muscle growth is initiated and sustained, or not. Additionally, the increased circulation leads to longer cardio endurance, better pumps, and more blood being pumped into the muscle group, which is essentially the goal of lifting weights.

For the older trainer, where heart health is of major concern, fish oils (EFA's) are vital. EFA's play a strong role in the life and death of cardiac (heart) cell tissue. Among people who suffer a heart attack, studies have shown the survival rate to be 50% higher for those who supplement with EFA's. Most elderly people include EFA's in their medicine rotation, and for good reason. EFA's are good for the heart, plain and simple. Since fifty percent of Americans will die from heart disease, and EFA's improve survival rates among heart attack victims in such a huge way, the importance of their use cannot be emphasized enough.

EFA's can be found in many foods, including fish, hemp oil, canola oil, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, walnuts, and some leafy vegetables. While it's always more desirable to consume most supplements in the natural food format, the levels of essential fatty acids provided by the softgel caplet form (not to mention the convenience) make use of the supplement form very necessary. EFA's can be picked up as "Omega 3 Fish Oil" in any supermarket in the vitamin section or at your nearest pharmacy. A four-month supply of fish oil will cost about five dollars. Normal supplementation is one softgel caplet (1000 mg), three times per day with meal. There are no drug interaction worries, and they go down the throat easily. Fish oil supplements are a great way to obtain all the benefits of EFA's, both for bodybuilding and health goals.