What Are Total Count Of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids?

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential fatty acids that contain more than one double bond in their backbone. Our body needs fat from the food we eat. It's a major source of energy.

Unsaturated fats are considered beneficial fats. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids induces several responses that modulate appetite, food intake, energy expenditure, adipose tissue metabolism, and fat oxidation.

For these reasons, PUFA is a potential candidate to help achieve a negative energy balance, support weight loss, and reduce fat mass.

Health-Promoting Effects

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are therapeutic, and health-promoting effects have already been established in various chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. (source 🗗)

Omega-3 And Omega-6

PUFAs are categorized as omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) depending on the location of the last double bond. (source 🗗)

But there are differences between omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs. Omega-3 fatty acids are associated with decreased inflammation, while Omega-6 fatty acids are associated with increased inflammation. (source 🗗)

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in many foods, including salmon, eggs, walnuts. (source)

Omega-6 fatty acids are found in most vegetable oils, including sunflower, corn, and canola oils.(source 🗗)

Example on Omega-3 PUFAs

• alpha-Linolenic acid, AHA, 18:3n-3
• Epoxyeicosatrienoic acid, EET, 20:3n-3
• Eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, 20:5n-3
• Docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, 22:6n-3

Example on Omega-6 PUFAs

• Linoleic acid, 18:2n-6
• gamma-Linoleic acid, 18:3n-6
• Arachidonic acid, AA, 20:4n-6
• Docosapenaenoic acid, 22:5