Docosahexaenoic
(DHA)
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid, essential
for the growth and functional development of the brain in infants.
DHA is also required for maintenance of normal brain function
in adults. The inclusion of plentiful DHA in the diet improves
learning ability, whereas deficiencies of DHA are associated with
deficits in learning. DHA is taken up by the brain in preference
to other fatty acids. The turnover of DHA in the brain is very
fast, more so than is generally realized. The visual acuity of
healthy, full-term, formula-fed infants is increased when their
formula includes DHA. During the last 50 years, many infants have
been fed formula diets lacking DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids.
Benefits
• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is essential for the growth and functional
development of the brain in infants.
• It is required for maintenance of normal brain function in adults.
The turnover of DHA in the brain is very fast, more so than is
generally realized.
• The visual acuity of healthy, full-term, formula-fed infants
is increased when their formula includes DHA.
• Reduces triglycerides in the blood and decrease thrombosis,
it also prevents cardiac arrhythmias.
• DHA has a positive effect on diseases such as hypertension,
arthritis, atherosclerosis, depression, adult-onset diabetes
mellitus, myocardial infarction, thrombosis, and some
cancers.
Deficiency
• DHA deficiency may be hurting our hearts.
• DHA deficiencies are associated with foetal alcohol syndrome,
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cystic fibrosis,
phenylketonuria, unipolar depression, aggressive hostility,
and adrenoleukodystrophy.
• Decreases in DHA in the brain are associated with cognitive
decline during aging and with onset of sporadic Alzheimer disease.
• Type II diabetes are often advised to adopt a low-fat diet with
a high proportion of carbohydrate.
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Gamma Linolenic
(GLA)
Linolenic acid (gamma-linolenic acid or GLA, sometimes called
gamoleic acid) is a fatty acid found primarily in vegetable oils.
It is sold as a dietary supplement for treating problems with
inflammation and auto-immune diseases.
GLA is sometimes prescribed in the belief that it has anti-inflammatory
properties lacking some of the common side effects of other anti-inflammatory
drugs[citation needed]. Herbal medicine advocates recommend GLA
for autoimmune disorders, arthritis, eczema and PMS with noticeable
results not expected for months. Research is ongoing, investigating
GLA as a potential anticancer agent. GLA is unique among the omega-6
polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid, GLA and arachidonic
acid) in its potential to suppress tumor growth and metastasis.
GLA can also form a lithium salt, increasing its solubility in
water. The resulting compound is Li-GLA, also called lithium gammalinolenate.
Li-GLA is currently in phase II clinical trials to determine whether
it is useful in the treatment of HIV infections, since it has
the ability to destroy HIV-infected T cells in vitro. It has a
number of side-effects, including a reduction in hemoglobin, hematuria,
gastrointestinal disturbance, fatigue and headache.
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Essential
Linoleic
Linoleic acid (LA) is an unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid. It is
a colorless liquid. In physiological literature, it is called
18:2(n-6). Chemically, linoleic acid is a carboxylic acid with
an 18-carbon chain and two cis double bonds; the first double
bond is located at the sixth carbon from the omega end.
The word linoleic comes from the Greek word linon (flax). Oleic
means of, relating to, or derived from oil or olive or of or relating
to oleic acid since removing the omega-6 double bond produces
oleic acid.
Possible Roles in Disease
• Cancer Prevention
A study in mice has shown that dietary intake of Conjugated Linoleic
Acid (CLA) can help prevent cancer in mice. The study looked at
a specific isomer of LA and studied its effect on cancer induced
by dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. The study suggested a significant
effect of CLA intake on the reduction of carcinogenesis.
• Cystic fibrosis
Since children with cystic fibrosis suffer from Essential Fatty
Acid Deficiency due to malabsorption, it was hypothesized that
high doses of LA might aid in their growth. The study looked at
two groups of infants with cystic fibrosis on diets with two different
levels of LA. It was shown that supplementary LA, indeed, has
a positive effect on the growth of infants with cystic fibrosis,
especially between 6 and 9 months of age.
• Dermatitis
Dermatitis is one of the first signs of an Essential Fatty Acid
deficiency in both humans and animals. Until 1955, one of the
most widely applied treatments for atopic eczema was a high dose
of GLA.
• Diabetes
A number of studies have shown that diabetics require higher than
normal intakes of LA. Because diabetics have consistently been
shown to have above normal levels of LA while having lower than
normal levels of GLA, it is believed that diabetics have impaired
desaturase activity. Increased intakes of LA have been shown to
attenuate diabetic complications in numerous studies.
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Dihomo-Gamma
Linolenic
Dihomo-Gamma-Linolenic Acid (DGLA) is 20-carbon fatty acid. In
physiological literature, it is given the name 20:3(n-6). Its
systematic chemical name is all-cis-8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid.
Chemically, DGLA is a carboxylic acid with a 20-carbon chain and
three cis double bonds; the first double bond is located at the
sixth carbon from the omega end.
Benefits of Dihomogamma Linolenic
Acid
DHA is used in membranes especially in the brain and the eye.
Dihomogamma Linolenic Acid can be converted to either Anti-inflammatory
Series 1 Prostaglandins or into Arachidonic Acid by the enzyme
“delta-5-desaturase”.
• Delta-5-desaturase requires Vitamin C, niacin and zinc in order
to function.
• Delta-5-desaturase has a greater affinity for converting Omega
3 oils over Omega 6 oils.
• When converting omega 6 oils, it has a greater affinity to convert
Dihomogammalinolenic acid to the anti-inflammatory series
1 prostaglandins over Arachidonic Acid.
• Now Cyclo-oxygenase converts arachidonic acid into pro-inflammatory
Series 2 prostaglandins.
Deficiency in Dihomo-gamma-Linolenic
Acid
Deficiency in Dihomo-gamma-Linolenic Acid-derived prostaglandin
E1 is the major etiologic factor for diminished T cell maturation
postpartum. Its precursors, gamma-linolenic acid and dihomo-gamma-linolenic
acid, are physiologically provided in colostrum and mature breast
milk of healthy mothers. Depressed cell-mediated immunity and
uncontrolled B-cell response with increased IgE synthesis are
explained as prostaglandin E1-dependent defects of T cell differentiation
caused by insufficient supply of prostaglandin E1 precursors during
early infancy.
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Palmitoleic
Palmitoleic Acid, or (Z)-9-hexadecenoic acid, is an omega-7 monounsaturated
fatty acid with the formula CH3(CH2)5CH=CH(CH2)7COOH. is common
constituent of the glycerides of human adipose tissue. It is present
in all tissues, but generally found in higher concentrations in
the liver. It is biosynthesized from palmitic acid by the action
of the enzyme delta-9 desaturase. Dietary sources of palmitoleic
acid include a variety of animal oils, vegetable oils, and marine
oils. Fatty acids are a carboxylic acid with a long unbranched
aliphatic tail (chain), which is either saturated or unsaturated.
Fatty acids derived from natural fats and oils may be assumed
to have at least 8 carbon atoms. Most of the natural fatty acids
have an even number of carbon atoms, because their biosynthesis
involves acetyl-CoA, a coenzyme carrying a two-carbon-atom group.
New research suggests that palmitoleic acid is possibly a signaling
molecule which can help fight weight gain. This work is consistent
with previous observations by Glen Power and others at Oxford
University's Biochemistry Department that palmitoleic acid, among
a range of fatty acids available in the diet, is utilized by the
key enzymes that control fat oxidation, at extraordinarily high
rates. This work led the authors to conclude that oil types manufactured
to contain high palmitoleic acid content would be useful in combatting
obesity.
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Oleic
Oleic acid is a mono-unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid found in various
animal and vegetable sources.
As a fat, oleic acid is one of the better ones to consume. As
a replacement for other saturated fats, it can lower total cholesterol
level and raise levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) while
lowering low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), also known as the “bad”
cholesterol. Usually switching to an oil high in oleic acid is
not difficult since there are numerous sources available.
From a health standpoint, oleic acid exhibits further benefits.
It has been shown to slow the development of heart disease, and
promotes the production of antioxidants. One very interesting
use of oleic acid is its use as an ingredient in Lorenzo’s oil,
a medication developed to prevent onset of adrenoleukodystrophy
(ALD), a condition effecting only young boys that attacks the
myelin sheaths of the body, causing symptoms similar to those
in multiple sclerosis. Though Lorenzo’s oil does not cure the
condition, it can delay onset or progression of the disease in
those who are not yet symptomatic.
Benefits of Oleic
• Oleic acid may hinder the progression of Adrenoleukodystrophy,
a fatal disease that affects the brain and adrenal glands.
• Oleic acid may help boost memory.
• Oleic and monounsaturated fatty acid levels in the membranes
of red blood cells.
• leic acid may be responsible for the hypotensive (blood pressure
reducing) effects of olive oil.
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Erucic
Erucic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. It is prevalent
in rapeseed, wallflower seed, and mustard seed, making up 40 to
50 percent of their oils. Fatty acids are a carboxylic acid with
a long unbranched aliphatic tail (chain), which is either saturated
or unsaturated. Fatty acids derived from natural fats and oils
may be assumed to have at least 8 carbon atoms. Most of the natural
fatty acids have an even number of carbon atoms, because their
biosynthesis involves acetyl-CoA, a coenzyme carrying a two-carbon-atom
group.
In the human body, erucic acid is broken down into shorter-chain
fatty acids by enzymes (long-chain acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) dehydrogenase)
produced in the liver.
High erucic cruciferae oils are interesterified with C16 or higher
fatty acids or derivatives thereof. The use of a 1,3-selective
lipase leads to the introduction of the fatty acid groups in the
1,3-positions. The liberated erucic acid (derivative) can be hydrogenated;
the behenyl acid (or derivative) thus formed can be recirculated
to provide at least 50% of the behenyl acid (derivative) needed
in the process.
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