OptimalHealthNutrition.com -- Major Fatty Acids have biologic actions

Major Fatty Acids' nomenclature

Research News: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are categorized based on the location of the first carbon-to-carbon double bond from the methyl group, which is located at the opposite end from the carboxyl carbon. The major categories from a biological and nutritional standpoint are the omega-3 fatty acids (having the first carbon-to-carbon double bond starting at the third carbon from the methyl group) and the omega-6 fatty acids (having the first carbon-to-carbon double bond starting at the sixth carbon from the methyl group). The most commonly known member of the omega-9 group is oleic acid from olive oil; but it is of lesser biologic importance than the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are the key determinants of the biologically powerful thromboxanes, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and isoprostanes. The term “omega” is commonly represented as either “w” or “n”. For the sake of consistency and readability, I will use either the word “omega” or the symbol “n” in this text.

Dr Vasquez's Comments: This is an excerpt from my textbook "Chiropractic and Naturopathic Mastery of Common Clinical Disorders" which is available from OptimalHealthResearch.com (website with clinical information designed for doctors) and also from OptimalHealthNutrition.com in our selection of books.

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