What are fatty
acids?
A fatty acid is a molecule consisting of a chain of carbon atoms with an organic acid group at one end.
The number of carbon atoms can vary from 4 to 24, and each is surrounded by hydrogen atoms. Each carbon atom is normally joined to the next one by
two electrons, in what is known as a single bond. If the carbon atoms are all linked by single bonds, the fatty acid is known as "saturated". Saturated
fatty acids are very stable, meaning their structure is difficult to disrupt through light, heat or oxygen, so manufacturers like to use them for food because
of their long shelf lives. But depending on their length, saturated fatty acids may not be easily digestible, and can lead to poor health.
Sometimes one of the hydrogen atoms is replaced by another bond, so that now, some carbon atoms is joined by a double bond. Fatty acids containing
double bonds are known as "unsaturated". If more than one double bond exists in a fatty acid molecule, it is known as "poly-unsaturated". These
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are often referred to as "good fats", because these double bonds contain some unique, health-giving properties.
However, they are quite delicate and can be easily destroyed by light, heat and oxygen.
The naming system for fatty acids reflect all of these things: the number of carbon atoms in the chain, the number of double bonds it contains, and the
position of the first one. Hence, 18:3n-6 means that a fatty acid contains 18 carbon atoms, with 3 double-bonds, with the first one after the 6th carbon
atom.
Although plants, animals and humans can metabolize specific PUFAs from saturated fatty acids, there are two very important PUFAs that humans must
get from plants. These are Linoleic Acid (18:2n-6) LA (part of the Omega 6 family of fatty acids) and Alpha-Linolenic Acid (18:3n-6) ALA (part of the
Omega 3 family). Because these two fatty acids are indispensable to our health, and we cannot make them ourselves, they are known as Essential
Fatty Acids, or EFAs.
Enzymes within our bodies lengthen the EFAs to insert more double bonds and create new, more highly unsaturated fatty acids. These attract oxygen
and help transform light into electrical energy and then to nerve impulses.
This latter group of fatty acids includes gamma-linolenic acid or GLA, which our body derives from Linoleic Acid and from a very few plant sources. The
body of literature on GLA is already significant: we know that GLA helps in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, skin disorders, hypertension, diabetes and
cancer. The enzyme necessary to make GLA from Omega 6 is absent in about 30% of the population, therefore GLA supplementation is necessary.
The most common sources of GLA in food are Evening Primrose oil and Borage oil.
Stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are fatty acids that we obtain from a few nutrient sources and which
our bodies can metabolize from Alpha-linolenic Acid. Health professionals recognize the necessity of these fatty acids for lowering the risk of heart
disease and anti-thrombotic properties.
Why do we need Essential Fatty Acids?
Essential Fatty Acids ensure healthy and fluid cell membranes. A fluid
cell membrane is critical for the effective exchange of nutrients, oxygen and waste products. EFAs are also necessary for maintaining the water barrier
of our skin. A vast body of literature exists on the benefits of EFAs to our health.
"EFAs are involved with producing life energy in our body from food substances and moving that energy throughout our systems. They govern growth ,
vitality and mental state. They hook up oxygen, electron transport, and energy in the process of oxidation."
Why do we need Omega 3?
The health effects of the Omega 3 family of fatty acids (primarily alpha-linolenic,
EPA and DHA) have been studied extensively, and are perhaps best described by the symptoms of Omega 3 deficiency. These include dry and/or scaly
skin, weak immune system, poor motor co-ordination, high blood pressure and low metabolic rate.
Common foods do not contain much (if any) Omega 3. In recent years, health conscious people have started taking flax and fish oils for this important
EFA. However, too much of a good thing is bad and that holds true for this as well.
Why do we need Omega 6?
The Omega 6 family of polyunsaturates comprises several different fatty acids,
which we can get on their own from food sources, or which our bodies can metabolize from Omega 6. The only one that cannot be metabolized is
Linoleic acid (LA).
Some of the Omega 6 fatty acids (notably linoleic and gamma-linolenic) have been the source of many studies. They have been used to treat and
prevent many disease states such as eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, circulatory problems, and PMS.
Like any other substance, an overabundance of Omega 6 can also be harmful, and many of the diseases we see in North America today come from the
overload of Omega 6 in our diet, as it is found in many common foods.
|
Brands
Your cart
Authentication
News
