WHAT ARE EPA AND DHA? DERIVATIVES OF OMEGA 3




Omega 3 supplements






Omega 3 also known as n-3 PUFAs are essential fatty acids essential for the proper functioning of the organism.

The fatty acids are omega-3 polyunsaturated said because their chain comprises several double bonds. And the name Omega 3 derives from the position of the first double bond , counting from the terminal carbon: counting from carbon ω , the first double bond that meets occupies the third rank.

Omega 3 is important for their presence in cell membranes, which maintain the integrity.

The omega -3 fatty acid is mainly represented in the vegetable world is the alpha-linolenic acid (LNA ). This fatty acid must be converted into EPA ( eicoisapentenoico acid ) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid ) to exert biological effects that crucial to the proper functioning of some organs and apparatus: such as brain, retina and gonads, and for the prevention of diseases such as atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid ) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid ) are therefore metabolic derivatives of linolenic acid (Omega 3).

The main fatty acids of the Omega 3 are:
  • The α -linolenic acid or ω3α ( 18:3 ; ALA)
  • The eicosapentaenoic acid ( 20:5 , EPA) acid timnodonico
  • The docosahexaenoic acid ( 22:6 , DHA) acid cervonico

The numbers in parentheses are to indicate that these three acids have respectively 3 , 5 and 6 double bonds in their chain composed of 18, 20 and 22 carbon atoms.

The acids EPA and DHA can be synthesized by the human body based on acid ALA, but only in small quantities. The alpha-linolenic acid is instead an essential fatty acid, this means that can not be synthesized by the body, and which is then inserted with the diet.

Omega 3 is found in fish and in some plants , in particular:
  • Fish (EPA and DHA)
  • Fish oil (EPA and DHA)
  • Shellfish (EPA and DHA9
  • Walnuts (ALA)
  • Vegetable oils such as linseed oil, hemp seed , black currant, sacha inchi and rapeseed oil (ALA)

The omega 3 fatty acids , more and more deficient feeding current can be taken, besides the diet including the integration: the market you can find many supplements of Omega 3. Is need to pay attention to the amount of active ingredient.
  


Omega 3 supplements