Essential Nutrient - Fatty Acids

Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids cannot be synthesized by humans, as humans lack the desaturase enzymes required for their production.

See also: Essential fatty acid

• α-Linolenic acid or ALA (the shortest chain (18:3) omega-3 fatty acid)
• Linoleic acid (the shortest chain (18:2) omega-6 fatty acid)

ALpha-linolenic acid is not used by the body in its original form. It is broken down by the body into the required following long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: -Eicosapentaenoic-Acid or EPA (20:5) -Docosahexaenoic-Acid or DHA (22:6) EPA and DHA can also be consumed from a direct source by consuming Fish, or Fish Oil.

Linoleic acid or LA is not used by the body in its original form either. It is broken down by the body into the required following long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: -gamma-linolenic acid or GLA (18:3) -dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid or DGLA (20:3) -arachidonic acid or AA (20:4)

Note: Studies have shown that the best way to acquire EPA and DHA is by consuming Fish Oil, or by eating a serving of Fish daily because the human body is very inefficient in breaking down ALA into the required EPA and DHA. The studies have shown that only 8% of ALA is broken down into EPA, and only 1%-3% of ALA is broken down into DHA. Studies have also shown that greater amounts of Omega-6 fat consumed in an individual's diet can even further disrupt the conversion of ALA into EPA and DHA.

ω-9 fatty acids are not essential in humans, because humans generally possess all the enzymes required for their synthesis.