Essential Fatty Acids
In This Section:
- Why Our Bodies Need Fats
- Essential Fatty Acids
- Triglycerides Levels
- Cholesterol Levels
- Lipoproteins
- Dietary Guidelines
Essential Fatty Acids Are:
- Linoleic, Linolenic, Arachidonic Acids
- Linolenic and arachidonic can be made from linoleic acid in the body. These are found in vegetable oils.
These are needed to:
- Strengthen cell membrane and capillary structure
- Combines with cholesterol and helps to transport it in the blood
- Helps with the metabolism of cholesterol, and lowers blood cholesterol
- Helps to regulate blood clotting time
- Involved with inflammatory response
- Is needed to form prostaglandins which have a variety of roles such as contraction of smooth muscles and muscle tone, blood clotting, regulation of blood pressure and many other functions.
Symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency
- Thirst
- Dry dull hair
- Scaly skin
- Exzema
- Impaired wound healing
- Inadequate amounts can contribute to heart disease
and possibly arthritis
Amount needed to prevent fatty acid deficiency
At least 2% – 5% of the calories in your diet should come from linoleic acid to prevent essential fatty acid deficiency. This is about 2 teaspoons per day of vegetable oils, especially canola, safflower, and soybean oil.
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