We have all heard of fat, but were you aware that the human body can make all but two fatty acids? Yes, that's right - they are linoleic and linolenic acid. It turns out these two fatty acids are necessary for proper functioning of the body, which is why they are essential. Specifically, the body uses them to maintain the structural parts of cell membranes that create hormonelike substances called eicosinoids. These substances help to adjust blood pressure, blood clot formation, blood lipids, and our immune response to injury and infection.
Linoleic acid is the primary member of the Omega-6 Fatty Acid. You can find it in vegetable oils ,as well as meat. Normally, most people consume enough of this fatty acid. Your body uses this fatty acid to make other members of the omega-6 family like arachidonic acid.
On the other hand, linolenic acid is the primary member of the Omega-3 family. When given this fatty acid our bodies can use it to make eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Did you know that many of your body tissues contain these fatty acids? And, they make up a sizeable amount of the communicating membrane of the brain - meaning we need them for proper brain development. EPA and DHA are also present in the retina of the eye, and are needed for normal growth and development.
Note: It is possible for your body to make some fatty acids, but that can only occur if others are available. In addition, some may be essential for growth or disease prevention. However, our bodies cannot make any of the omega-6 or omega-3 fatty acids from scratch because we do not have the enzymes necessary to create them. But, you could start with the 18-carbon member of a series and make the longer fatty acids by forming double bonds. Because this is a slow and tedious process it is best to eat these fatty acids.
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