In human nutrition, the two essential fatty acids are alpha linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)) and linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 (n-6)). These two fatty acids are essential to the health and without them death is inevitable. For the body to be able to use these fats, a number of enzymes are needed to be able to convert them into other longer chain and more unsaturated fats, that are in turn then converted to a number of short lived hormones called eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are pivotal for the correct regulation of cellular inflammation. One of the main enzymes in their conversion process is the delta-desaturase enzyme. Evidence shows that expression of this enzyme may reduce with age, and this can leave the individual at higher risk of inflammatory disease. One solution to this is to consume fats that enter the metabolic pathway past the delta 6-desaturase enzyme. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) and Gamma linolenic Acid (GLA, C18:3 (n-6)) from fish oil and borage oil, respectively, may therefore be considered instead.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
