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Omega-6 fatty acids

Fatty acids are saturated or unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids, usually with an even number of carbon atoms that occur naturally in the form of glycerides in fats and fatty oils, waxes and essential oils. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) cannot be manufactured by animals including humans and are required in human nutrition. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are important components of the plasma membrane of the cell, where they may be found in such forms as phospholipids and also can be found in triglycerides. PUFAs also serve as precursors to other molecules of importance in human beings and animals, includig the prostacyclins, leukotrienes and prostaglandins. There are two main families of PUFAs, omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 group fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids, where the sixth carbon atom, starting from the CH3 group is unsaturated. Omega-6 fatty acids include linoleic acid and its derivatives, such as arachidonic acid (AA). There are also conjugated fatty acids such as conjugated linolenic acid (CLA). Gamma-linolenic acid is the metabolic intermediate for very long chain omega-6 fatty acids and for various active molecules. In mammals, formation of long chain PUFAs is rate-limited by delta-6 desaturation. Many physiological and pathological conditions such as aging, stress, diabetes, eczema, and some infections have been shown to depress the delta-6 desaturation step. In addition, GLA is readily catabolized from the oxidation and rapid cell division associated with certain disorders, e.g., cancer or inflammation. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in both animal and plant material. Plant sources include unprocessed, unheated vegetable oils such as corn, sunflower seed, safflower, soy, sesame, and cottonseed oils. They are also found in plant materials such as evening primrose, black current seeds and gooseberry oils as well as in raw nuts and seeds, legumes and leafy greens. The main sources of omega-6 fatty acids are vegetable oils (e.g., corn oil, soy oil) that contain high amounts of LA.

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