Essential Fatty Acids

Clinical Relevance💡

Linoleate (omega-6) and α-linolenic acid (omega-3) are essential fatty acids that must be obtained through the diet. These molecules are more than just components of cell membranes, they are the starting materials for signaling molecules that regulate inflammation, blood clotting, and immune function. Without sufficient amounts of each, individuals may experience dry, scaly skin, poor wound healing, and impaired growth. On top of that, omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to improved cardiovascular health and help ease excessive inflammation, which highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy balance of both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids!

So, omega 6 and omega 3 are essential to human function, but must be acquired from diet. You can find these in oily fish, seeds, nuts, and plant oils. 

Note: Linoleic acid is linoleate in its "free" form, 

Notes

Essential fatty acids are termed “essential” because we cannot synthesize them on our own and need to get them from an outside source. 

These are any fatty acids that have a double bond(s) past the 9th carbon from the carboxyl end. This is due to the fact that specific enzymes called desaturases are needed to create that double bond, and humans do not contain these enzymes that modify the bonds above carbon 9! Therefore, we need to consume these fatty acids. 

This may seem like a major glitch in human biology, and in a way, it is. To provide some context, it is hypothesized that ancient humans had diets rich in food sources that naturally contained these fatty acids. Therefore, the body did not need to synthesize them and was instead able to use the metabolic processes for other purposes. (doi: 10.1007/s11692-017-9436-5, https://doi.org/10.1051/ocl/2017059)  

The key essential fatty acids for humans are Linoleate (Omega 6) and a-Linoleic Acid (Omega 3).