Omega 3 Fatty Acid Structure - How is the Omega 3 Fatty Acid Structure Different From Other Fats?

There are various kinds of fats - saturated, mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated. When it comes to the terminology surrounding omega 3 fatty acid structure or polyunsaturated fats, it can get really confusing. However, learning about omega 3 fatty acid structure is important to understand their health benefits.

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Omega 3 fats, as we have mentioned before are polyunsaturated fats that are good for our health. For the less chemically inclined, polyunsaturated fats have more than one carbon-carbon double bond in their molecule. They remain liquid at room temperature and even when refrigerated.

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The structure of omega 3 is different from the chemical structure of saturated fats and trans-fats. This structural difference is the main reason why omega 3 fats are considered as Good fats.

Omega 3 fats comprise of Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). While all three are essential for our health, they cannot be synthesized within our body. We need to solely depend on our diets to obtain omega 3 fats.

ALA or Alpha-linolenic fats are carboxylic acids with an 18-carbon chain and three double bonds. The body needs to covert ALA fats into longer chain fatty acids EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid).

ALA fats are mainly found in vegetable oils such as flaxseed oil, canola oil, walnuts and soybeans. They are also present in most of the green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, tofu and cabbage.

The structure of EPA fats is similar to that of carboxylic acids. Eicosapentaenoic acid is a long chain fatty acid that has a 20-carbon chain and five double bonds. EPA is the single vital nutrient that controls the communication between nerve cells and the brain.

Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA is also a long chain fatty acid. DHA has 22-carbon chain and six double bonds. DHA is known as the building block of the brain cells since it is the most important component that makes up the human brain.

DHA fats are considered essential for the brain and retinal development in infants. Both EPA and DHA fats are primarily found in cold-water fishes such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and Hoki.

Hoki fish found in the Southern oceans of New Zealand have naturally high levels of omega 3 fats. The fish oils extracted from the tissues of Hoki fish have 40% higher DHA levels than other oils.

Omega 3 fatty acid structure is what makes them so beneficial for human health. The EPA and DHA fats present in fish oils activate the secretion of Prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that perform a variety of roles such as controlling blood pressure, hormone regulation, blood clotting, controlling lipid production, reflex actions and muscle contractions.

EPA and DHA should be an important part of your daily diets if you want to keep your heart and mind healthy. To ensure you get the recommended omega 3 doses, consume molecularly distilled pharmaceutical grade fish oils regularly.

Omega 3 Fatty Acid Structure - How is the Omega 3 Fatty Acid Structure Different From Other Fats?

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