Different Types Of Unsaturated Fatty Acids And Double Acids

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Unsaturated fatty acids
Unsaturated fatty acids contain double bond. These are as follows.
1. Monounsaturated fatty acids: Oleic series (one double bond)
2. Polyunsaturated fatty acids: Linoleic series (two double bonds), linolenic series (three double bonds), Fatty acids with four double bonds (arachidonic acid). The carbon atoms in fatty acids are numbered from the carboxyl carbon (carbon no. 1). The carbon atom adjacent to the carboxyl carbon (that is carbon no. 2, 3 & 4) are known as α, β and gamma carbon respectively and the terminal methyl carbon is known as omega. Short chain fatty acids are fatty acids with aliphatic tails of less than six carbons. Medium chain fatty acids are fatty acids with aliphatic tails of 6 to 12 carbons. These can …show more content…

Essential fatty acids Fatty acids such as linoleic acid, linolenic acid and arachidonic acid are known as essential fatty acid because they cannot be synthesized in the body so must be supplied in the food. Human being lacks the ability to introduce double bonds in fatty acids beyond carbons 9 & 10. About 20 different fatty acids are synthesized from the two essential fatty acids linoleic acid and linolenic acid. Omega three fatty acid is synthesized from linolenic acid and omega six fatty acid is synthesized from linolic acid. The diet containing balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids helps in stimulating skin and hair growth, good bone health, regulation of metabolism and in the maintenance of reproductive system. Mediterranean diet is considered to have balance between omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. It contains whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetable, fish, olive oil, garlic etc. People following mediterranean diet are less likely to develop heart disease. Omega 3 fatty acid helps to reduce inflammation and some omega 6 fatty acids promote

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