Researchers are finding that good fatty acids act like helping hands, regulating all sorts of inter-cellular processes by bringing nutrients in and getting excrements out more efficiently. In recent years, they've also been linked to cancer and heart disease prevention! Foods like nuts, oils and salmon are recommended additions to every daily diet - in moderation, of course.

While the news reports on the obesity epidemic which is sweeping across the nation, chastising fast food chains and emphasizing the importance of a low-fat diet, researchers are quietly reminding us that there are, in fact, good fatty acids. While it may sound strange to many, our blood pressure and cholesterol levels could actually skyrocket without these good fats.

Essential fatty acids are those which cannot be generated by our bodies naturally. So, we rely on plant or animal sources from our diets to provide them for us. While one may not notice it immediately, the effects of a poor diet could be allowing for widespread degeneration, as well as bad skin, hair and recovery time.