Omega6

Omega-6 Fatty Acids What, Why, Where and How?
Peter Lapinskas
www.lapinskas.com
A Fitter Future for Fats Leatherhead Food RA 6 June 2000

What, Why, Where and How?
• • • •
What are Omega-6 fatty acids? Why are they important? Where are they found? How can they be used?

Fat is bad for you!

are

Fat is bad for you!
Some types of

may be are

Fat is bad for you!
Some types of

Some types of fat may be bad for you
on the other hand.....

Some types of fat may be bad for you
on the other hand.....

Some types of fat are essential for human health

Fats and Fatty acids
• • • •
Fats and oils are made of triglycerides (98%+) Each triglyceride molecule contains 3 fatty acids There are a range of different fatty acids The mix of fatty acids determines the properties of the fat or oil • Therefore will discuss fatty acids rather than fat

Structure of a Triglyceride
H H H H C C C H Fatty acid Fatty acid Fatty acid

Structure of a Triglyceride
Fatty acid Fatty acid Fatty acid

Structure of a Fatty Acid

2

4

6

9

12

14

16

COOH CH3

Linoleic acid
cis, cis 9,12 octadecadienoic acid An omega-6 fatty acid

Omega-6 Fatty Acid Functions
• Membrane structure - fluidity, receptors, enzymes and channels • Skin permeability • Cholesterol movement - ω-6 fatty acid esters are more soluble • Precursors for regulatory molecules – Control of inflammation – Platelet aggregation – Vasoconstriction/dilation

Omega-6 Pathway
Common in healthy diet

Linoleic acid (18:2)
desaturation

γ-Linolenic acid (18:3)
elongation

Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (20:3)
desaturation Some available from meat and eggs

Arachidonic acid (20:4)

Omega-6 Pathway
Linoleic acid (18:2)

γ-Linolenic acid (18:3)

Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (20:3)

Arachidonic acid (20:4)

Omega-6 Pathway
Linoleic acid (18:2)

γ-Linolenic acid (18:3)
Anti-inflammatory metabolites

Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (20:3)
(Slow) Meat and eggs...