These substances are vital for the health of the skin, immune and nervous systems. The modern diet is often deficient in them. The main sources are fatty fish, seeds: sunflower, sesame, pumpkin, linseed and starflower (borage), and oils from these seeds. Olive oil and Evening Primrose oils are also good sources. Signs of deficiency can be dry skin, inflammation in the digestive or urinary tract (sometimes a cause of microscopic blood in the urine – although this must never be taken as such and must be investigated by a doctor), and tingling in the limbs.To be healthy a combination of Omega fatty acids 3, 6 and 9 are needed. Linseed (flax) taken with starflower should give all three. The linseed can be ground or soaked in water for better absorption (a jelly will form around the seeds). Flax oil is available from most health food stores and all nutritionists.People often worry that taking oils will increase their weight. In fact the reverse of this can be true. Flax oil helps to rid the body of unwanted fluid. Evening Primrose oil can also help with excess weight by balancing hormone levels.A supplement which contains all three oils is Essential Balance, available from New Nutrition and Higher Nature.*27\326\8*