Category Archives: Alpha Linolenic Acid

The Flax Plant

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Flax in an annual herb with a tall lean appearance. Thin slender stems, with similarly slender leaves, branch towards the top producing an elegant plant that can possess blue or white flowers (figure 1). Flax was known historically through Mesopotamian, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fibre, Flax Oil, Lignans, Linoleic Acid, Oestrogen, Omega 3, Omega 6 | Comments Off on The Flax Plant

Essential Fat Deficiency, Liver Overload Syndrome and The Metabolic Syndrome

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Robert Barrington

The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic disorders characterised by insulin resistance. It is becoming increasingly evident that the Western diet is the cause of metabolic syndrome, and this results largely from the poor quality food that it contains. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, de Novo Lipogenesis, Delta 6-desaturase, Essential Fatty Acids, Glycaemia, Insulin Resistance, Linoleic Acid, Palmitoleic Acid, Western Diet | Comments Off on Essential Fat Deficiency, Liver Overload Syndrome and The Metabolic Syndrome

Let’s Break It Down: Why Are Trans Fats Deadly?

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Robert Barrington

You may have heard of the word trans fats. You may even be aware that they are increasingly being seen as bad for the health. However, few are aware of the insidious and subtle ways that they can alter metabolism … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Essential Fatty Acids, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Linoleic Acid, Trans Fatty Acids | Comments Off on Let’s Break It Down: Why Are Trans Fats Deadly?

Alpha Linolenic Acid: Are People Still Deficient?

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Alpha linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)) is a member of the omega-3 family of fatty acids. Alpha linolenic acid is important in human nutrition because it is considered an essential nutrient, and therefore a deficiency of ALA in the human … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Linoleic Acid | Comments Off on Alpha Linolenic Acid: Are People Still Deficient?

Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency: A Case Study

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Humans require a dietary source of alpha linolenic acid (ALA, C18: 3 (n-3)) and linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 (n-6)). These essential fatty acids are required for the production of eicosanoids, short-lived hormone-like substances that regulate all maner of cell functions … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Brain, Delta 5-desaturase, Delta 6-desaturase, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Docosanoids, Eicosanoids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Linoleic Acid | Comments Off on Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency: A Case Study

The Cardioprotective Effects of Walnuts

Posted on December 21, 2014 by Robert Barrington
Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Cardiovascular Disease, Ellagic Acid, Endothelial Dysfunction, Essential Fatty Acids, L-arginine, Nitric Oxide, Walnuts | Comments Off on The Cardioprotective Effects of Walnuts

Fat Head: How Dietary Fatty Acids Determine Mental Function

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Most people consider fatty acids in the diet in terms of their energy content, and this is because fatty acids possess hydrocarbon chains which makes them a concentrated form of energy. In contrast proteins are known more for their use … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Brain, Depression, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Docosanoids, Eicosanoids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids, Omega 3, Omega 6 | Comments Off on Fat Head: How Dietary Fatty Acids Determine Mental Function

The Omega 6 to Omega 3 Ratio

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Robert Barrington
Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Docosapentaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Linoleic Acid, Omega 3, Omega 6 | Comments Off on The Omega 6 to Omega 3 Ratio

More on the Omega 6 to Omega 3 Fatty Acid Ratio: Cognition in Children

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Robert Barrington

The essential fatty acids alpha linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)) and linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 (n-6)) are required in the diet because they are essential to health but cannot be synthesised in the body. These two polyunsaturated fatty acids pass … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosanoids, Fatty Acids, Inflammation, Linoleic Acid, Omega 3, Omega 6 | Comments Off on More on the Omega 6 to Omega 3 Fatty Acid Ratio: Cognition in Children

Babies Need Essential Fatty Acids Too

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Essential dietary components are those required by the body to maintain health, but which cannot be synthesised endogenously. Vitamins and minerals are the most well known essential elements, but there are also a number of amino acids and fatty acids … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosanoids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fish, Fish Oils, Pregnancy | Comments Off on Babies Need Essential Fatty Acids Too