What Is Omega 9, Erucic Acid (22:1 n-9) & What Foods Can I Find It In?
Erucic acid, 22:1 n-9, is a monounsaturated omega fatty acid.
Erucic acid is produced by elongation of oleic acid.
Erucic acid is a long-chain fatty acid but breaks down into shorter-chain fatty acids in our liver.
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Erucic Acid Is Not Essential
22:1 n-9 is called Erucic acid.
It’s a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. (source ◳)
Unlike omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids, omega−9 fatty acids are not classified as essential fatty acids.
It is because omega-9 can be created in the body from unsaturated fat. (source ◳)
Erucic Acid Is Not For Everyone
Erucic acid is found in rapeseed, wallflower seed, and mustard seed. (source ◳)
Erucic acid is classified as a contaminant that is found in vegetable oil.
For most people, this is not a safety concern, if not overconsuming.
But it poses a long-term health risk, especially for children, who consume high amounts of foods containing this substance. (source ◳)
Foods You Can Find Erucic Acid (22:1 n-9) In
You find Erucic Acid (22:1 n-9) mostly in sausage and luncheon meat, pork, dairy and egg, and baked products.
Examples of food sources include
- Beef Frankfurter
- Breakfast Beef Sausage
- Turkey Sausage
- Italian Pork Sausage
- Chorizo
- Cured Bacon
- Butter
Foods That Contain Erucic Acid 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 Erucic acid we recommend you use our tool.
Here's our top ranked list of foods that contain Erucic acid.