Essential fatty acids
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids (pronunciation: /ɪˈsɛnʃəl ˈfæti ˈæsɪdz/) are types of fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by the human body and therefore must be obtained through the diet. They are crucial for normal growth and development and play a vital role in brain function, as well as normal growth and development.
Etymology
The term "essential" in essential fatty acids refers to the fact that these substances are necessary for health, but cannot be produced by the body. The term "fatty acid" refers to a carboxylic acid with a long aliphatic chain, which is either saturated or unsaturated.
Types of Essential Fatty Acids
There are two families of essential fatty acids: Omega-3 (Omega-3) and Omega-6 (Omega-6).
- Omega-3 fatty acids (pronunciation: /ˈoʊmɪɡə-3 ˈfæti ˈæsɪdz/): These are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are important for various bodily functions, including muscle activity, blood clotting, digestion, fertility, and cell division and growth. Examples include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
- Omega-6 fatty acids (pronunciation: /ˈoʊmɪɡə-6 ˈfæti ˈæsɪdz/): These are also polyunsaturated fatty acids that are primarily used for energy. The most common omega-6 fat is linoleic acid, which can be converted into longer omega-6 fats such as arachidonic acid (ARA).
Related Terms
- Polyunsaturated fat: A type of dietary fat. It's one of the healthy fats, along with monounsaturated fat. Polyunsaturated fat is different from saturated fat because it has many double bonds.
- Linoleic acid: An omega-6 fatty acid important for the skin and the cell membranes.
- Alpha-linolenic acid: An omega-3 fatty acid found in many seeds, nuts, and green leafy vegetables.
- Eicosapentaenoic acid: An omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil.
- Docosahexaenoic acid: An omega-3 fatty acid that is a primary structural component of the human brain, cerebral cortex, skin, and retina.
- Arachidonic acid: An omega-6 fatty acid that is present in the phospholipids (especially phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositides) of membranes of the body's cells, and is abundant in the brain, muscles, and liver.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Essential fatty acids
- Wikipedia's article - Essential fatty acids
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