What are Omega 6 Fatty Acids?
Omega 6 fatty acids are a family of unsaturated fatty acids which have in common a carbon-carbon double bond in the n−6 position; that is, the sixth bond from the end
What are Omega 6 Fatty Acids?
Omega 6 fatty acids are a family of unsaturated fatty acids which have in common a carbon-carbon double bond in the n−6 position; that is, the sixth bond from the end of the fatty acid.
Omega 6 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids (EFAs), which means that they are essential to human health but cannot be made in the body. For this reason, they must be obtained from food sources. Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. See why Omega 3 and 6 are different to Omega 9.
The biological effects of the n−6 fatty acids are largely mediated by their conversion to n-6 eicosanoids that bind to diverse receptors found in every tissue of the body. The conversion of tissue arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) to n-6 prostaglandin and n-6 leukotriene hormones provides many targets for pharmaceutical drug development and treatment to diminish excessive n-6 actions in atherosclerosis, asthma, arthritis, vascular disease, thrombosis, immune-inflammatory processes and tumor proliferation.
The optimal ratio is thought to be 4 to 1 or lower. Deficiencies in EFAs can lead to reduced growth, a scaly rash called dermatitis, infertility, and lack of ability to fight infection and heal wounds. Lack of omega-6 fatty acids, however, is extremely rare in diets of those living in certain Western countries. Modern Western diets typically have ratios of n−6 to n−3 in excess of 10 to 1, some as high as 30 to 1.
There are several different types of omega-6 fatty acids. Most omega-6 fatty acids are consumed in the diet from vegetable oils as linoleic acid.
Omega 6 is reported to assist the following medical conditions:
Menopausal Symptoms - Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) has gained some popularity for treating hot flashes.
High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease - Animal studies suggest that GLA, either alone or in combination with two important omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA both found in fish and fish oil, may lower the blood pressure.
Rheumatoid Arthritis - Some preliminary information indicates that GLA, from EPO, borage oil, or black currant seed oil, may diminish joint pain, swelling, and morning stiffness.
Alcoholism - EPO may help lessen cravings for alcohol and