This questionnaire will help you to decide if you might benefit from taking an essential fatty acid supplement.
Make note of how many items in each group apply to you.
Group A
Arthritis
Asthma
Premenstrual Syndrome (swollen or tender breasts, mood changes, abdominal bloating)
Elevated cholesterol
Elevated triglycerides
Autoimmune disease
Eat foods containing trans fats (partially hydrogenated fats or oils)
Group B
Low Back Pain
Neck Pain
Shoulder Pain
Knee Pain
Excessive Sweating
Difficulty cooling off after exercise
Strongly dislike the cold or strongly dislike like the heat
Dry Skin or scaly skin
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Changes in mood – depression, anxiety
Group C
Regular recurring headaches – stress-related or otherwise
Bloating and/or heartburn
More than 10 pounds overweight
Sensitivity to temperature changes
Memory changes
Eat fish less than one a week
Eat few vegetables
Eat a lot of carbohydrates from grains (including baked goods)
Scoring: You will likely benefit from an essential fatty acid supplement if your answers above were positive for:
Any one item from Group A
or
Any two Items from Group B
or
Any two Items from Group C
Although some people notice immediate changes when starting an essential fatty acid supplement, it often takes three to four weeks for the newly introduced fats to reach a level where symptoms noticeably change for the better.
Note: Do not take essential fatty acids if you are on a blood thinner (e.g., Coumadin, Warfarin, Pradaxa, Plavix, Effient, etc.) without first consulting your doctor.
