What Is Eicosatetraenoic Acid, ETA (20:4) & What Foods Can I Find It In?

3D-model of Eicosatetraenoic acid, ETA (20:4) (src)

Eicosatetraenoic acid, 20:4, is an essential polyunsaturated conjugated fatty acid.

Essential means that we must obtain it from our diet because our body requires it for good health but cannot synthesize it.

Eicosatetraenoic acid is found in a variety of foods including oils, fish, and algae, among many other sources.

It is believed that eicosatetraenoic acid has anti-inflammatory properties.

Table of Contents

Eicosatetraenoic Acid For Normal Health

20:4 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid known as eicosatetraenoic acid. (source )

Eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA) is a 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) with four double bonds. It is the simplest omega-3 PUFA with a conjugated diene system.

Eicosatetraenoic acid has shown considerable importance for normal health. (source )

Eicosatetraenoic acid is not produced in the body, therefore needs to be included in the diet from various food sources. (source )

Eicosatetraenoic acid is a metabolic intermediate in the biosynthesis of eicosanoids from arachidonic acid, which are potent mediators of inflammation.

Arachidonic acid in our body

It is found in high concentrations in the retina, brain, and immune system of humans, and is therefore important in vision, memory, and the inflammatory response.

Benefits Of Eicosatetraenoic Acid

Eicosatetraenoic acid can be beneficial for the treatment of certain conditions.

For instance, for the treatment of various forms of pain and inflammation.

It is also believed that eicosatetraenoic acid can have positive effects on the cardiovascular system.

Foods You Can Find Eicosatetraenoic Acid, ETA (20:4) In

You find Eicosatetraenoic Acid, ETA (20:4) mostly in fats and oil, american indian and alaska native food, seafood, dairy and egg products.

Examples of food sources include

Foods in our nutrition tool

You can find regularly updated top ranked lists of foods for over 200+ nutrients in our nutrition tool.

If you are interested in what foods contain the most Eicosatetraenoic Acid, we recommend you visit our tool.

Here's our top ranked list of foods that contain Eicosatetraenoic Acid, ETA (20:4).

Sara Niemelä

co-founder Care Omnia, Head Content Creator

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Nutrition is my passion. I've spent thousands upon thousands of hours reading, analyzing, categorizing and comparing research studies.

I’m a wife and a mother of three. I enjoy the outdoors, cooking, and spending time with my family.