Omega 3 Fatty Acids
About Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats whose first double bond lies at the third carbon from the methyl end of the chain. The main types are alpha linolenic acid ALA, from plant sources such as flaxseed, chia and walnuts, and eicosapentaenoic acid EPA and docosahexaenoic acid DHA, found mainly in fatty fish and marine algae. ALA is essential because humans lack the desaturase enzymes needed to make it, and the body converts it to EPA and DHA only inefficiently. Official intake recommendations vary by age, sex and life stage. DHA is a major structural fat in the brain and retina and is important for neural and visual development. Omega 3 fats give rise to resolvins and protectins that help end inflammation, and they compete with omega 6 arachidonic acid for the same enzymes. Fish oil lowers blood triglycerides, and the REDUCE IT trial found that a purified EPA drug, icosapent ethyl, reduced cardiovascular events in high risk patients already taking statins. Algae derived DHA provides a source suitable for vegans.
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Omega 6 Fatty Acids
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Alpha Lipoic Acid
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Oleic Acid
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Saturated Fat
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