Category Archives: Fatty Acids

Subcutaneous Fat: Not All the Same

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Fat storage is more complex than portrayed by the medical establishment. Fat stored in the abdominal compartment is associated with an increased risk of mortality. This fat is not visible, and is often present in normal weight individuals. Deep abdominal … Continue reading →

Posted in Abdominal Obesity, Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated Fatty Acids, Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Saturated Fatty Acids, Subcutaneous Fat | Tagged , | Comments Off on Subcutaneous Fat: Not All the Same

Alcohol Raises Plasma Omega 3 Concentrations: We Have a Winner

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Alcohol is interesting because despite its unhealthy reputation within the mainstream, even relatively high intakes are protective of disease. In particular, alcohol appears to protect from cardiovascular disease, and a number of mechanisms have been put forward to explain this … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Alpha Linolenic Acid, Cardiovascular Disease, Delta 6-desaturase, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Docosanoids, Eicosanoids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids, Fish, Fish Oils, Flax Oil | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Alcohol Raises Plasma Omega 3 Concentrations: We Have a Winner

Bile Salts, Cholesterol and Fibre

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Dietary fat absorption relies on the presence of the primary bile salts cholate and chenodeoxycholate. Both primary bile salts are synthesised in the liver with cholate making up around 80% of the total. Conjugation of bile salts to glycine or … Continue reading →

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Delta 6-desaturase: The Essential Fatty Acid Roadblock

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)) are precursors to a number of important signal molecules that are required for cell function. These long-chain fatty acids accumulate in cell membranes and are then used by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Cardiovascular Disease, Delta 5-desaturase, Delta 6-desaturase, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Docosanoids, Docosapentaenoic Acid, Eicosanoids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Eicosatraenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids, Fish, Fish Oils, Flax Oil, Immune System, Inflammation, Linoleic Acid, Stearidonic Acid | Comments Off on Delta 6-desaturase: The Essential Fatty Acid Roadblock

Essential Fatty Acids: The Ratio is the Key

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Robert Barrington

The fatty acids α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)) and linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 (n-6)) are essential in animals including humans, and therefore required in the diet. Deficiency of either fatty acid causes disease and death. Both fatty acids are converted … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Cardiovascular Disease, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids, Fish, Fish Oils, Linoleic Acid, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Essential Fatty Acids: The Ratio is the Key

Plasma Lipoproteins: A Primer

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Elevated levels of certain plasma lipoproteins are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Measurements of the levels of these lipoproteins are considered reliable biomarkers for assessing cardiovascular risk by the mainstream medical establishment. However, the nutritional biochemistry of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cholesterol, Chylomicrons, Fatty Acids, HDL, IDL, LDL, Triglycerides / Triacylglycerols, VLDL | Comments Off on Plasma Lipoproteins: A Primer

Long Chain Fatty Acids: Mood Enhancers?

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Fish contains two important dietary n-3 long-chain fatty acids, eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)). These fatty acids accumulate in plasma membranes where they may increase membrane fluidity, and can also influence cellular function through … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Brain, Depression, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids, Fish, Fish Oils, Flax Oil | Comments Off on Long Chain Fatty Acids: Mood Enhancers?

Essential Knowledge: Fatty Acids

Posted on March 16, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Plants possess two enzymes, Δ12-desaturase and Δ15-desaturase, that allow the synthesis of linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 (n-6)) and α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)), respectively. The Δ12-desaturase enzyme adds a double bond to a molecule of oleic acid (OA, C18:1 (n-9)) … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Cardiovascular Disease, Delta 5-desaturase, Delta 6-desaturase, Dihomo Gamma Linolenic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Docosanoids, Docosapentaenoic Acid, Eicosanoids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Eicosatraenoic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids, Gamma Linolenic Acid, Stearidonic Acid | Comments Off on Essential Knowledge: Fatty Acids

Quality Nutrition and Balance

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Robert Barrington

It is clear from the nutritional literature that there is no magic bullet to reverse the epidemic of diet-related diseases that have started to affect so many. Lifestyle conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity have multi-factorial aetiologies, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Fat, Fatty Acids, Metabolic Syndrome, Monounsaturated Fatty Acids, Obesity, Omega 3, Omega 6, Saturated Fatty Acids | Comments Off on Quality Nutrition and Balance

Vascular Benefits of Docosahexanoic Acid

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Consumption of fructose is associated with an increase in serum triglyceride levels, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, as well as elevated levels of serum free fatty acids (FFA). Elevated triglycerides and FFA may lead to lipid accumulation in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiovascular Disease, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Fatty Acids, Fish Oils, Insulin Resistance, Saturated Fatty Acids, Triglycerides / Triacylglycerols | Comments Off on Vascular Benefits of Docosahexanoic Acid