Allergic asthma: inflammation and obstruction of the airways of the lungs caused by exposure to inhaled allergens such as pollen, dust or pet dander.

Allergic rhinitis: inflammation and irritation of the nasal passages due to inhalation of allergens such as pollen, dust or pet dander.

Allergy: an overreaction of the immune system to harmless substances called "allergens", including pollen, dust and pet dander, which the immune system perceives as dangerous foreign invaders

Asthma: a chronic disease of the lungs in which the airways are inflamed and become blocked or narrowed, causing symptoms like wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing.

Bioactive: a nutritional substance in food that confers specific health benefits. Examples include Vitamin C and essential fatty acids.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): A long-chain, polyunsaturated essential fatty acid of the omega 3 family. The primary dietary source of EPA is fish and shell fish.

Emulsification: a process of blending oil-based and water-based food ingredients into a stable mixture, through which the oil is formed into extremely small droplets.

Emulsion: a stable mixture of water-based and fat-based food ingredients. Examples include salad dressing and Efficas Care.

Essential fatty acids (EFA’s): necessary “healthy” polyunsaturated fats that humans either cannot synthesize or cannot make in sufficient quantity, and must be obtained through the diet. There are two families of EFA’s: Omega-3 and Omega-6. The patented formula in the Efficas Care includes 500 mg Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid, and 750 mg Gamma-Linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid. Gamma linolenic acid (GLA): a long-chain, polyunsaturated fatty acid of the omega 6 family. GLA is rare in the food supply. Although most individuals can synthesize some GLA from linoleic acid, GLA is required at higher levels by individuals with allergic diseases. GLA is needed to reduce the production of leukotrienes.

Leukotrienes: inflammatory molecules produced by immune cells in the body. They are powerful biological regulators that are involved in the inflammatory response and cause the narrowing of the airways, increased mucus production and tissue swelling associated with both allergies and asthma. Leukotrienes are made by the body from natural components within cell membranes in response to allergens and other triggers. Higher levels of leukotrienes are produced in individuals with allergic disease than in healthy individuals.

Medical food: a specially formulated food that is intended for the dietary management of a disease with unique nutritional requirements. Individuals with allergic diseases require higher levels of GLA and EPA than can be obtained from normal diets or simple additions to a normal diet. Efficas Care products supply GLA and EPA in a highly bioavailable, emulsified form that provides sufficient quantity for the management of these allergic conditions.

Omega 3: A family of unsaturated fatty acids derived from linolenic acid. All omega 3’s have their first unsaturated bond between carbon numbers 3 and 4. Omega 3’s with 20 or more carbon atoms, such as EPA, are found primarily in fish and shellfish.

Omega 6: A family of unsaturated fatty acids derived from linoleic acid. All omega 6’s have their first unsaturated bond between carbon numbers 6 and 7. Examples include GLA and DGLA.