Essential fatty acids

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Essential fatty acids

Essential fatty acids (EFAs), a type of unsaturated fat, are needed by the body to support and regulate important functions. EFAs can only be obtained from food sources.

Among their many functions, EFAs help create structural material for cell walls, provide protective padding for organs, maintain body temperature, and make nerve coverings. EFAs also are critical for making prostaglandins, which are hormonelike substances that are made and used by all cells. Prostaglandins regulate body functions, such as the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and nervous systems.

The two types of EFAs are:

Alpha-linolenic acid (LNA or omega 3), which is contained in foods such as hemp seed, flax seed, pumpkin seed, walnuts, dark green leaves, canola, soybean, and cold-water fish.
Linoleic acid (LA or omega 6), which is contained in foods such as safflower, hemp, soybean, walnut, pumpkin, sesame, corn, sunflower, and flax.

In order to maintain good health, it is important for people to regularly eat foods containing EFAs.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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