Omega-6 fatty acid
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| Types of Fats in Food |
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| See Also |
Omega-6 fatty acids are fatty acids where the term "omega-6" signifies that the first double bond in the carbon backbone of the fatty acid, occurs in the omega minus 6 position; that is, the sixth carbon from the end of the fatty acid. See essential fatty acids for more detail on the naming system.
The biological effects of the ω-6 fatty acids are largely mediated by their interactions with the ω-3 fatty acids, see Essential fatty acid interactions for detail.
Linoleic acid (18:2), the shortest chain omega-6 fatty acid is an essential fatty acid. Arachidonic acid (20:4) is a physiologically significant n-6 fatty acid and is the precursor for prostaglandins and other physiologically active molecules.
Some medical research has suggested that excessive levels of omega-6 acids, relative to Omega-3 fatty acids, may increase the probability of a number of diseases and depression. Modern Western diets typically have ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 in excess of 10 to 1, some as high as 30 to 1. The optimal ratio is thought to be 4 to 1 or lower. [1]
Dietary sources of omega-6 fatty acids include:
- nuts
- cereals
- whole-grain breads
- most vegetable oils
- eggs and poultry
- baked goods.[2]
List of omega-6 fatty acids
| Common name | Lipid name | Chemical name |
|---|---|---|
| Linoleic acid | 18:2 (n-6) | 9,12-octadecadienoic acid |
| Gamma-linolenic acid | 18:3 (n-6) | 6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid |
| Eicosadienoic acid | 20:2 (n-6) | 11,14-eicosadienoic acid |
| Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid | 20:3 (n-6) | 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid |
| Arachidonic acid | 20:4 (n-6) | 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid |
| Docosadienoic acid | 22:2 (n-6) | 13,16-docosadienoic acid |
| Adrenic acid | 22:4 (n-6) | 7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoic acid |
| Docosapentaenoic acid | 22:5 (n-6) | 4,7,10,13,16-docosapentaenoic acid |
| Calendic acid | 18:3 (n-6) | 8E,10E,12Z-octadecatrienoic acid |
See also
External links
- The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids.
- [3] Omega-6 fatty acids cause prostate tumor cell growth in culture
- [4] Omega-6 fatty acids linked to major depression
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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
