Fatty acids are necessary for the normal functioning of all body systems. People can only get essential fatty acids from food sources.
There are two types of fatty acids: essential and non-essential. The body can create non-essential fatty acids by converting amino acids in the food a person eats.
However, the body can not create essential fatty acids. You can only get them directly from food sources. Essential fatty acids include linoleic acid (LA), an omega-6 fatty acid, and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid.
These fatty acids produce hormones that regulate the immune system and the central nervous system.
Read more to learn about essential fatty acids, examples of foods that contain them, and symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency.
Essential fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid. There are two categories of essential fatty acids: Omega 3 Y omega-6.
The numbers refer to the position of the first carbon double bond counting from the tail of the chain. For example, in omega-3 fatty acids, the first carbon-carbon double bond is the third bond from the end. In omega-6 fatty acids, it is sixth from the bottom.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are necessary for the body to function properly. They produce compounds called eicosanoids, which are important hormones that control the immune system, the nervous system, and other hormones.
However, the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid eicosanoids act differently.
Eicosanoids from omega-3 fatty acids promote heart healthwhile omega-6 eicosanoids increase immune response, inflammationY blood pressure.
Because the two omega fatty acids can produce opposite effects, a person should try to balance them in their diet.
Certain foods are rich in essential fatty acids.
Omega 3
Plant sources of omega-3, also called ALA, include:
Animal sources of omega-3 are called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
DHA sources include:
EPA sources include:
- american herring
- Salmon
- trout
- Halibut
- herring
- shad
- black cod
- wolf fish
Omega-6
Food sources of omega-6, also called LA, include:
People commonly take omega-3 essential fatty acid supplements in the form of fish oils. These include:
People who don’t eat fish can try algal oil, a plant-based omega-3 supplement made from algae.
Essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) is rare, especially in people who eat a varied diet. Certain conditions that affect absorption or metabolism. may cause EFAD.
Symptoms
Symptoms of EFAD may include:
Diagnosis
To determine if a person has EFAD, a doctor will perform a physical exam to look for features such as dry, scaly skin.
They may also ask questions about wound healing, growth, and susceptibility to infection.
Doctors may perform blood and urine tests to determine liver and kidney function and measure levels of essential fatty acids.
Treatment
If a person receives a diagnosis of EFAD, a doctor can you suggest they eat a diet rich in nut butters, vegetable oils, and oily fish.
They you can also suggest an intravenous liquid emulsion. These emulsions usually consist of soybean oil and other sources of fatty acids.
Essential fatty acids are fatty acids that the body cannot produce on its own. They play a key role in various bodily functions, including heart health, cancer prevention, cognitive function, skin health, and obesity prevention.
Good food sources of essential fatty acids include vegetable oils, nuts, and fatty cold-water fish. Supplements that contain essential fatty acids include flaxseed oil, fish oil, cod liver oil, and krill oil.
Essential fatty acid deficiency is rare. If a person has the condition, the doctor may recommend a diet rich in fatty acids or prescribe an intravenous liquid emulsion.
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