essential fatty acid

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essential fatty acid

chemical compound

Also known as: EFA, vitamin F

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June 26, 2026

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Essential fatty acids are crucial chemical compounds that animals, including humans, cannot synthesize themselves and must obtain through their diet. These are primarily linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid). They are vital for cellular functions and the production of other necessary omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These compounds play a role in forming cell membranes and synthesizing hormone-like substances called eicosanoids, which regulate blood pressure, blood clotting, and immune responses. Fatty acids, in general, are components of lipids and consist of a hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group. They can be saturated (all single carbon-carbon bonds) or unsaturated (containing double bonds).123

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carboxylic acid
Unsaturated aliphatic acids
…diet and, therefore, are called essential fatty acids. (4) Many unsaturated fatty acids are liquids at room temperature, in contrast to the saturated stearic (C₁₈) and arachidic (C₂₀) acids, which are solids. The reason is that the regular nature of the saturated hydrocarbon chains allows the molecules in the solid…
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…diet and, therefore, are called essential fatty acids. (4) Many unsaturated fatty acids are liquids at room temperature, in contrast to the saturated stearic (C₁₈) and arachidic (C₂₀) acids, which are solids. The reason is that the regular nature of the saturated hydrocarbon chains allows the molecules in the solid…
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human nutrition
Fats and oils
…group of fatty acids is essential in the diet. They occur in body structures, especially the different membranes inside and around cells, and cannot be synthesized in the body from other fats. Linoleic acid is the most important of these fatty acids because it is convertible to other essential fatty…
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…group of fatty acids is essential in the diet. They occur in body structures, especially the different membranes inside and around cells, and cannot be synthesized in the body from other fats. Linoleic acid is the most important of these fatty acids because it is convertible to other essential fatty…
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nutritional disease
Essential fatty acids
There is also a minimum requirement for fat—not for total fat, but only for the fatty acids linoleic acid (a so-called omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid). Deficiencies of these two fatty acids have been seen in hospitalized…
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There is also a minimum requirement for fat—not for total fat, but only for the fatty acids linoleic acid (a so-called omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid). Deficiencies of these two fatty acids have been seen in hospitalized…
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human nutrition
Triglycerides
…acid); these are known as essential fatty acids because they are required in small amounts in the diet. The omega designations (also referred to as n-3 and n-6) indicate the location of the first double bond from the methyl end of the fatty acid. Other fatty acids can be synthesized…
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…acid); these are known as essential fatty acids because they are required in small amounts in the diet. The omega designations (also referred to as n-3 and n-6) indicate the location of the first double bond from the methyl end of the fatty acid. Other fatty acids can be synthesized…
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