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Types of fats in food
See also

Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are fatty acids that cannot be constructed within an organism from other components (generally all references are to humans) by any known chemical pathways; and therefore must be obtained from the diet. Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and largely insoluble in water Food is any substance usually composed primarily of Carbohydrates Fats water and/or Proteins that can be eaten or drunk by an An unsaturated fat is a Fat or Fatty acid in which there are one or more Double bonds in the fatty acid chain For discussion how dietary fats affect cardiovascular health see Diet and heart disease. In nutrition polyunsaturated fat is an abbreviation of polyunsaturated Fatty acid. Trans fat is the common name for a type of Unsaturated fat with trans - isomer Fatty acid (s n −3 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−3 fatty acids or omega-3 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated Fatty acids that n −6 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−6 fatty acids or omega-6 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated Fatty acids n −9 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−9 fatty acids or omega-9 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated Fatty acids which Saturated fat is Fat that consists of Triglycerides containing only saturated Fatty acids Explanation Fat that occurs Interesterified fats are oils that have been chemically modified (e In Chemistry, especially Biochemistry, a fatty acid is a Carboxylic acid often with a long unbranched Aliphatic tail ( chain) which In Chemistry, especially Biochemistry, a fatty acid is a Carboxylic acid often with a long unbranched Aliphatic tail ( chain) which The term refers to those involved in biological processes, and not fatty acids which may just play a role as fuel. As many of the compounds created from essential fatty acids can be taken directly in the diet, it is possible that the amounts required in the diet (if any) are overestimated. It is also possible they can be underestimated as organisms can still survive in unideal, malnourished conditions.

There are two families of EFAs: ω-3 (or omega-3 or n-3) and ω-6 (omega-6, n-6. n −3 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−3 fatty acids or omega-3 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated Fatty acids that n −6 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−6 fatty acids or omega-6 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated Fatty acids ) Fats from each of these families are essential, as the body can convert one omega-3 to another omega-3, for example, but cannot create an omega-3 from scratch. They were originally designated as Vitamin F when they were discovered as essential nutrients in 1923. Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In 1930, work by Burr, Burr and Miller showed that they are better classified with the fats than with the vitamins. Year 1930 ( MCMXXX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and largely insoluble in water A vitamin is an Organic compound required as a Nutrient in tiny amounts by an Organism. [1]

Contents

Functions

The biological effects of the ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids are mediated by their mutual interactions, see Essential fatty acid interactions for detail. The actions of the &omega-3 and &omega-6 essential fatty acids (EFAs are best characterized by their interactions; they cannot be understood separately

In the body, essential fatty acids serve multiple functions. In each of these, the balance between dietary ω-3 and ω-6 strongly affects function.

Nomenclature and terminology

Fatty acids are straight chain hydrocarbons possessing a carboxyl (COOH) group at one end. Isofurans are Nonclassic eicosanoids formed nonenzymatically by free radical mediated peroxidation of Arachidonic acid. Neurofurans are 22-carbon compounds formed nonenzymatically by free radical mediated peroxidation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, an &omega-3 essential fatty The isoprostanes are Prostaglandin -like compounds formed in vivo from the free radical-catalyzed peroxidation of Essential fatty acids (primarily Hepoxilins (HxA3 and HxB3 are Nonclassic eicosanoid hormones involved in Inflammation. The Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids or EETs are signaling molecules formed by the action of Cytochrome P450 epoxygenase on 20-carbon Essential fatty acids such Neuroprotectins are Hormones which protect the Central nervous system from injury A lipid raft is a Cholesterol -enriched microdomain in Cell membranes Properties of lipid rafts Rietveld & Simons related lipid rafts in model NF-κB ( nuclear factor-kappa B) is a protein complex that is a Transcription factor. Cytokines are a category of signalling Proteins and Glycoproteins that like Hormones and Neurotransmitters, are used extensively in cellular Carboxylic acids are Organic acids characterized by the presence of a Carboxyl group, which has the formula -C(=OOH usually written -COOH or -CO2H The carbon next to the carboxylate is known as α, the next carbon β, and so forth. Since biological fatty acids can be of different lengths, the last position is labelled ω, the last letter in the Greek alphabet. The Greek alphabet (Ελληνικό αλφάβητο is a set of twenty-four letters that has been used to write the Greek language since the late 9th or early Since the physiological properties of unsaturated fatty acids largely depend on the position of the first unsaturation relative to the end position and not the carboxylate, the position is signified by (ω minus n). For example, the term ω-3 signifies that the first double bond exists as the third carbon-carbon bond from the terminal CH3 end (ω) of the carbon chain. n −3 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−3 fatty acids or omega-3 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated Fatty acids that The number of carbons and the number of double bonds is also listed. ω-3 18:4 (stearidonic acid) or 18:4 ω-3 or 18:4 n-3 indicates an 18-carbon chain with 4 double bonds, and with the first double bond in the third position from the CH3 end. Stearidonic acid is an ω-3 Essential fatty acid, sometimes called moroctic acid. Double bonds are cis and separated by a single methylene (CH2) group unless otherwise noted. Trans-2-butenesvg|right|thumb|Trans-2-butene]] In Chemistry, cis-trans isomerism or geometric isomerism or configuration isomerism is a form of So in free fatty acid form, the chemical structure of stearidonic acid is:

Chemical structure of stearidonic acid showing physiological (red) and chemical (blue) numbering conventions.
Chemical structure of stearidonic acid showing physiological (red) and chemical (blue) numbering conventions.

Examples

For complete tables of ω-3 and ω-6 essential fatty acids, see Polyunsaturated fatty acids. Polyunsaturated Fatty acids ( PUFA) are those which contain more than one Double bond.

The essential fatty acids start with the short chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (SC-PUFA):

These two fatty acids cannot be synthesised by humans, as humans lack the desaturase enzymes required for their production. n −3 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−3 fatty acids or omega-3 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated Fatty acids that α -Linolenic acid ( ALA) is an organic compound found in many common vegetable oils. n −6 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−6 fatty acids or omega-6 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated Fatty acids Linoleic acid (LA is an unsaturated Omega-6 fatty acid. It is a colorless liquid Biosynthesis is a phenomenon wherein Chemical compounds are produced from simpler Reagents Biosynthesis unlike Chemosynthesis, takes place within living A Desaturase is an Enzyme which removes two Hydrogen atoms from an Organic compound, creating a Carbon /carbon double bond. Enzymes are Biomolecules that catalyze ( ie increase the rates of Chemical reactions Almost all enzymes are Proteins

They form the starting point for the creation of longer and more desaturated fatty acids, which are also referred to as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA):

ω-9 fatty acids are not essential in humans, because humans generally possess all the enzymes required for their synthesis. n −3 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−3 fatty acids or omega-3 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated Fatty acids that Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA or also icosapentaenoic acid is an Omega-3 fatty acid. Docosahexaenoic acid (commonly known as DHA; 226(ω-3 all-cis -docosa-4710131619-hexa- enoic acid Trivial name cervonic n −6 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−6 fatty acids or omega-6 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated Fatty acids γ -Linolenic acid ( gamma-linolenic acid or GLA, sometimes called gamolenic acid) is an Essential fatty acid found primarily in Dihomo- γ -linolenic acid ( DGLA) is a 20-carbon ω−6 fatty acid. Arachidonic acid (AA sometimes ARA is an Omega-6 fatty acid 204(ω-6 n −9 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−9 fatty acids or omega-9 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated Fatty acids which Exceptions do occur in older people or people with a liver problem that do not completely produce a sufficient amount, and hence many supplement companies market Omega 3-6-9 blends.

Essentiality

Between 1930 and 1950, arachidonic acid and linolenic acid were termed 'essential' because each was more or less able to meet the growth requirements of rats given fat-free diets. Arachidonic acid (AA sometimes ARA is an Omega-6 fatty acid 204(ω-6 α -Linolenic acid ( ALA) is an organic compound found in many common vegetable oils. Further research has shown that human metabolism requires both ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids. To some extent, any ω-3 and any ω-6 can relieve the worst symptoms of fatty acid deficiency. Particular fatty acids are still needed at critical life stages (e. g. lactation) and in some disease states. In nonscientific writing, common usage is that the term essential fatty acid comprises all the ω-3 or -6 fatty acids. [4] Authoritative sources include the whole families, without qualification. [5][6][7] The human body can make some long-chain PUFA (arachidonic acid, EPA and DHA) from lineolate or lineolinate.

Traditionally speaking the LC-PUFA are not essential. See (Cunnane 2003)[8] for a discussion of the current status of the term 'essential'. Because the LC-PUFA are sometimes required, they may be considered "conditionally essential", or not essential to healthy adults.

Mary G. Enig has pointed out numerous studies showing the need for omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids in mammalians[9] A 2005 study has shown evidence that gamma-linolenic acid, GLA, a product of omega-6, has been shown to inhibit the breast cancer promoting gene of Her2/neu. Mary Gertrude Enig, PhD (born 1931 is a Nutritionist who reviews research on and writes articles about the nutritional aspects of Fats Enig attended the γ -Linolenic acid ( gamma-linolenic acid or GLA, sometimes called gamolenic acid) is an Essential fatty acid found primarily in HER2/neu (also known as ErbB-2) stands for "Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2" and is a protein giving higher aggressiveness in Breast cancers It is a [10]

Biologist Ray Peat has pointed out flaws in the studies purportedly showing the need for n-3 and n-6 fats. He notes that so-called EFA deficiencies have sometimes been reversed by adding B vitamins or a fat-free liver extract to the diet. In his view, 'the optional dietary level of the "essential fatty acids" might be close to zero, if other dietary factors were also optimized. ' [1]

Essential fatty acids should not be confused with essential oils, which are "essential" in the sense of being a concentrated essence. An essential oil is a concentrated Hydrophobic Liquid containing volatile Aroma compounds from Plants They are also known as volatile

Food sources

Almost all the polyunsaturated fat in the human diet is from EFA. Some of the food sources of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids are fish and shellfish, flaxseed (linseed), hemp oil, soya oil, canola (rapeseed) oil, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, leafy vegetables, and walnuts. Fish are aquatic Vertebrate animals that are typically ectothermic (previously Cold-blooded) covered with scales, and equipped with two Shellfish is a Culinary and Fisheries term for those aquatic Invertebrate animals that are used as Food: various species of molluscs Flax (also known as common flax or linseed) (binomial name Linum usitatissimum) is a member of the genus Linum Hemp oil can be extracted from the seed of the Hemp plant which contains between 30-35% oil by weight which is high in Essential fatty acids The plant can also Canola is a type of Edible oil derived from plants initially bred in Canada by Keith Downey and Baldur Stefansson in the 1970s A pepita (from Spanish pepita de calabaza, "little seed of squash" is an edible Seed of a Pumpkin or other Cultivar of The sunflower seed is the Fruit of the Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus) Leaf vegetables, also called potherbs, greens, or leafy greens, are plant leaves eaten as a Vegetable, sometimes accompanied Walnuts (genus Juglans) are Plants in the family Juglandaceae.

Essential fatty acids play a part in many metabolic processes, and there is evidence to suggest that low levels of essential fatty acids, or the wrong balance of types among the essential fatty acids, may be a factor in a number of illnesses, including osteoporosis. Metabolism is the set of Chemical reactions that occur in living Organisms in order to maintain Life. Osteoporosis is a Disease of Bone that leads to an increased risk of fracture. [11]

Plant sources of ω-3 contain neither eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) nor docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA or also icosapentaenoic acid is an Omega-3 fatty acid. Docosahexaenoic acid (commonly known as DHA; 226(ω-3 all-cis -docosa-4710131619-hexa- enoic acid Trivial name cervonic The human body can (and in case of a purely vegetarian diet often must, unless certain algae or supplements derived from them are consumed) convert α-linolenic acid (ALA) to EPA and subsequently DHA. Algae ( sing. alga are a large and diverse group of simple typically Autotrophic organisms ranging from Unicellular to Multicellular forms This however requires more metabolic work, which is thought to be the reason that the absorption of essential fatty acids is much greater from animal rather than plant sources (see Fish and plants as a source of Omega-3 for more). Oily fish, oil-rich fish or pelagic fish are those Fish which have oils throughout the Fillet and in the belly cavity around the

The IUPAC Lipid HandbookPDF (370 KiB) provides a very large and detailed listing of fat contents of animal and vegetable fats, including ω-3 and -6 oils. A kibibyte (a contraction of ki lo bi nary byte) is a unit of Information or Computer storage, established by the International The National Institutes of Health's EFA Education group publishes 'Essential Fats in Food Oils.' This lists 40 common oils, more tightly focused on EFAs and sorted by n-6:3 ratio. "NIH" redirects here For other meanings of NIH see NIH (disambiguation. Stuchlik and Zak, 'Vegetable Lipids as Components of Functional Food'PDF (139 KiB) list notable vegetable sources of EFAs as well as commentary and an overview of the biosynthetic pathways involved. A kibibyte (a contraction of ki lo bi nary byte) is a unit of Information or Computer storage, established by the International Users can interactively search at Nutrition Data for the richest food sources of particular EFAs or other nutrients. Careful readers will note that these sources are not in excellent agreement. EFA content of vegetable sources varies with cultivation conditions. Animal sources vary widely, both with the animal's feed and that the EFA makeup varies markedly with fats from different body parts.

Human health

Main article: Diet and heart disease

Almost all the polyunsaturated fats in the human diet are EFAs. Diet is a significant contributing factor to the presence (or lack thereof of Heart disease, an umbrella term describing many heart ailments In nutrition polyunsaturated fat is an abbreviation of polyunsaturated Fatty acid. Essential fatty acids play an important role in the life and death of cardiac cells. [12][13][14][15]

See also

References

  1. ^ Burr, G. In nutrition polyunsaturated fat is an abbreviation of polyunsaturated Fatty acid. n −3 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−3 fatty acids or omega-3 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated Fatty acids that n −6 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−6 fatty acids or omega-6 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated Fatty acids The actions of the &omega-3 and &omega-6 essential fatty acids (EFAs are best characterized by their interactions; they cannot be understood separately In biochemistry eicosanoids are signaling molecules made by Oxygenation of twenty-carbon Essential fatty acids (EFAs A prostaglandin is any member of a group of Lipid compounds that are derived enzymatically from Fatty acids and have important functions in the Animal body Leukotrienes are naturally produced Eicosanoid lipid mediators, which may be responsible for the effects of an inflammatory response Thromboxane is a member of the family of Lipids known as Eicosanoids. Nonclassic eicosanoids are biologically active signaling molecules made by Oxygenation of twenty-carbon Fatty acids other than the classic Eicosanoids Cannabinoids ( are a group of terpeno[[phenol]]ic compounds present in Cannabis ( Cannabis sativa L An essential nutrient is a Nutrient required for normal body functioning that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from a dietary source An essential amino acid or indispensable amino acid is an Amino acid that cannot be synthesized de novo by the organism (usually referring to Fatty acids are an important source of Energy for many organisms Fatty acid synthase (FAS is Enzymatic system composed of 272 kDa multifunctional Polypeptide, in which Substrates are handed from one functional domain Oily fish, oil-rich fish or pelagic fish are those Fish which have oils throughout the Fillet and in the belly cavity around the O. , Burr, M. M. and Miller, E. (1930). "On the nature and role of the fatty acids essential in nutrition". J. Biol. Chem. 86 (587).  
  2. ^ Stillwell W, Shaikh SR, Zerouga M, Siddiqui R, Wassall SR (2005). "Docosahexaenoic acid affects cell signaling by altering lipid rafts". REPRODUCTION, NUTRITION, DEVELOPMENT 45 (5): 559-579. doi:10.1051/rnd:2005046. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 16188208.  
  3. ^ Calder PC (2004). "n-3 fatty acids, inflammation, and immunity--relevance to postsurgical and critically ill patients". LIPIDS 39 (12): 1147-1161. doi:10.1007/s11745-004-1342-z. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 15736910.  
  4. ^ Or at least the polyunsaturated, straight-chain methylene-interrupted ones; conjugated fatty acids like calendic acid are not. Polyunsaturated Fatty acids ( PUFA) are those which contain more than one Double bond. Calendic acid (sometimes α-Calendic acid) is an unsaturated fatty acid, named for the pot marigold (genus Calendula) from which
  5. ^ Heather Hutchins, MS, RD (10/19/2005). Symposium Highlights -- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Recommendations for Therapeutics and Prevention.
    • "Omega-3 fatty acids and their counterparts, n-6 fatty acids, are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) because they cannot be synthesized de novo in the body. "
  6. ^ Nugent K, Spigelman A, Phillips R (1996). "Tissue prostaglandin levels in familial adenomatous polyposis patients treated with sulindac". Dis Colon Rectum 39 (6): 659-62. doi:10.1007/BF02056946. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 8646953.  
    • "Arachidonic acid is an essential fatty acid. . . "
  7. ^ Carlstedt-Duke J, Brönnegård M, Strandvik B (1986). "Pathological regulation of arachidonic acid release in cystic fibrosis: the putative basic defect". Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 83 (23): 9202-6. doi:10.1073/pnas.83.23.9202. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 3097647.  
    • "[T]he turnover of essential fatty acids is increased (7). Arachidonic acid is one of the essential fatty acids affected. "
  8. ^ Cunnane SC (2003). "Problems with essential fatty acids: time for a new paradigm?". PROGRESS IN LIPID RESEARCH 42 (6): 544-568. doi:10.1016/S0163-7827(03)00038-9. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 14559071.  
  9. ^ Enig, M (2001), Know Your Fats: The Complete Primer for Understanding the Nutrition of Fats, Oils and Cholesterol (First Edition ed. ), Silver Spring, MD: Bethesda Press, ISBN 0-9678126-0-7 *
  10. ^ Menendez JA, Vellon R, Colomer R, Lupu R (2005). "Effect of gamma-linolenic acid on the transcriptional activity or Her2/neu (Erb-2) oncogene". J Natl Cancer Inst 97 (2): 1611-1615. PMID 16264182.  *
  11. ^ "Calcium metabolism, osteoporosis and essential fatty acids: a review. " . PMID 9624425.  
  12. ^ "External blockade. . . by polyunsaturated fatty acids" . PMID 43279.   - see page 1 of this link
  13. ^ "Antiarrhythmic effects of omega-3 fatty acids" . PMID 16919517.  
  14. ^ "Alpha-linolenic acid, cardiovascular disease and sudden death" . PMID 17086218.  
  15. ^ "Omega-3 and health" . PMID 17091903.  

External links

Dictionary

essential fatty acid

-noun

  1. any fatty acid required for human metabolism that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be present in the diet; originally designated as vitamin F
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