Fatty Acids

 

In foods, fatty acids usually appear in combination with glycerol as triglycerides and only in small amounts as free fatty acids, which are not bound to other molecules.

Omega-7 – Provides mono-unsaturated Palmitoleic acid and Cis-vaccenic acids.

Omega-9 – Provides mono-unsaturated Oleic acid, Eicosenoic acid, Erucic acid and Nervonic acid.

Omega-3 – Provides poly-unsaturated Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Stearidonic acid, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Omega-6 – Provides poly-unsaturated Arachidonic acid (AA), Linoleic acid (LA), Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid.

Omega-9 – Provides poly-unsaturated Eicosatrienoic or mead acid.

Essential fatty acids are necessary for the human life and health, but they cannot be produced in the human body, so you need to obtain them from food. There are two essential fatty acids:

• Linoleic acid
• Alpha-linolenic acid

All other fatty acids can be produced in your body, so you do not need to get them from foods.

ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) are two essential polyunsaturated fatty acids which your body can’t function without.

It is vital that your body maintains a healthy ratio between Omega-3s (ALA) and Omega-6s (GLA).

ALA (alpha-lipoic acid) is a versatile and potent antioxidant, and may function to help diabetic neuropathy and reduce pain from free-radical damage.

GLA (gamma-lipoic acid) is another naturally occurring antioxidant that is present in evening primrose oil, borage oil and blackcurrant seed oil. GLA may improve the function of nerves damaged by diabetic neuropathy.

Symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency include dry scaly rash, soft nails, slow wound healing, increased susceptibility for infections, short-term memory loss, difficulty concentrating, fainting, decreased visual acuity, sexual dysfunction and impaired growth in children.

Explore our wide range of ‘Fatty Acids’ including Essential Fatty Acids.