somebody can explain
2006-10-15 14:55:10 · 7 answers · asked by dancingwiththestars 4 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids classified as essential because they cannot be synthesized in the body; they must be obtained from food.
2006-10-15 14:57:04 · answer #1 · answered by Joe S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First a fatty acid is a chemical structure that has a fatty tail and the head is an organic acid. With that said, a saturated fatty acid is one with all single bonds between carbons, and fully saturated with hydrogen atoms. An unsaturated fatty acid is one with some double bonds between the carbon atoms so it is not fully saturated with hydrogen atoms. The key to your question is on an unsaturated fatty acid, where does the first double bond begin. There are two ends to this molecule and the dietitians decided that they will begin at the fat end. So now an omega 3 fatty acid is one that the first double bond begins at the third carbon from the end. Kinda like this: C-C-C=C-C-C-C it does not matter how many double bonds the fatty acid contains, it just has to start at the third carbon. The rest of the posters are correct in that we do not have the enzyme machinery to make omega-3's so we must eat them. Cold water fish is a very good source like Mackerel or salmon.
2006-10-15 15:25:58 · answer #2 · answered by mr.answerman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Omega-3 fatty acid
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Omega-3 fatty acids)
Types of Fats in Food
Unsaturated fat
Monounsaturated fat
Polyunsaturated fat
Trans fat
Omega: 3, 6, 9
Saturated fat
See Also
Fatty acid
Essential fatty acid
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids classified as essential because they cannot be synthesized in the body; they must be obtained from food.
Important omega-3 fatty acids in human nutrition are: α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
2006-10-15 14:57:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Omega 3 is a fatty acid found in fish. It is very good for you.
2006-10-15 15:02:39 · answer #4 · answered by miamac49616 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Polyunsaturated fats are caused by the number of carbon double bonds in the carbon chains. The omega number denotes which carbon atom the double bond is on.
2006-10-15 15:07:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
are polyunsaturated fatty acids classified as essential because they cannot be synthesized in the body; they must be obtained from food.
Important omega-3 fatty acids in human nutrition are: α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA
2006-10-15 14:57:46 · answer #6 · answered by rayedos69 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a fatty ester acid that helps to break down colesterol in the body its in fish and new balace margerine and pills as flax oil or fish oil
2006-10-15 15:03:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋