What Is Eicosatrienoic Acid (20:3) & What Foods Can I Find It In?

3D-model of Eicosatrienoic Acid (20:3) (src)

Eicosatrienoic acid, 20:3, is an unsaturated fatty acid.

It has 20 carbon atoms and 3 double bonds.

Eicosatrienoic acid is a polyunsaturated conjugated fatty acid.

In our body, it represents less than 0.25% of serum phospholipid fatty acids.

Table of Contents

Eicosatrienoic Acid Is Rare

20:3 Eicosatrienoic acid is a rare polyunsaturated fatty acid. (source )

Eicosatrienoic acid is a product of the metabolism of arachidonic acid by cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes.

Oleic acid can be converted in the body to eicosatrienoic acid under special circumstances. (source )

The Family Of Eicosanoids

Eicosatrienoic acid belongs to the family of eicosanoids.

The eicosanoids, when working together, are widely responsible for inducing an inflammatory immune response in the body. (source )

Benefits Of Eicosatrienoic Acid

Eicosatrienoic acid is beneficial for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis.

In addition, eicosatrienoic acid seems to possess various beneficial effects in the central nervous system.

Foods You Can Find Eicosatrienoic Acid In

You find eicosatrienoic acid mostly in nuts and seeds, american indian and alaska native food, spices and herbs, lamb, veal, and game 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 eicosatrienoic acid, we recommend you visit our tool.

Here's our top ranked list of foods that contain Eicosatrienoic Acid (20:3).

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.