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OMEGA-6 FATTY ACID
Omega-6 fatty acids are fatty acids where the term "omega-6" signifies that the first double bond in the carbon backbone of the fatty acid, counting from the end opposite the acid group, occurs in the sixth carbon-carbon bond.
- The biological effects of the ω-6 fatty acids are largely mediated by their interactions with the ω-3 fatty acids, see Essential fatty acid interactions for detail.
Linoleic acid (18:2), the shortest chain omega-6 fatty acid is an essential fatty acid. Arachidonic acid (20:4) is a physiologically signifigant n-6 fatty acid and is the precursor for prostaglandins and other physilogically active molecules.
Some medical research has suggested that excessive levels of omega-6 acids, relative to Omega-3 fatty acids, may increase the probability of a number of diseases. Modern Western diets typically have ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 in excess of 10 to 1, some as high as 30 to 1. The optimal ratio is thought to be 4 to 1 or lower. [1]
Dietary sources of omega-6 fatty acids include:
List of omega-6 fatty acids
| Common name |
Lipid name |
Chemical name |
| Linoleic acid |
18:2 (n-6) |
9,12-octadecadienoic acid |
| Gamma-linolenic acid |
18:3 (n-6) |
6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid |
| Eicosadienoic acid |
20:2 (n-6) |
11,14-eicosadienoic acid |
| Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid |
20:3 (n-6) |
8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid |
| Arachidonic acid |
20:4 (n-6) |
5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid |
| Docosadienoic acid |
22:2 (n-6) |
13,16-docosadienoic acid |
| Adrenic acid |
22:4 (n-6) |
7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoic acid |
| Docosapentaenoic acid |
22:5 (n-6) |
4,7,10,13,16-docosapentaenoic acid |
See also
External links
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