Describe the health effects of omega-3 fatty acids, and recommendations regarding their intake


Linolenic acid belongs to a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids known as omega-3 fatty acids, a family that also includes EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA are found primarily in fish oils. The human body cannot make linolenic acid, but given dietary linolenic acid, it can make EPA and DHA, although the process is slow. The importance of omega-3 fatty acids has been recognized since the 1980s, and research continues to unveil impressive roles for EPA and DHA in metabolism and disease prevention. The brain has a high content of DHA, and both EPA and DHA are needed for normal brain development. DHA is also especially active in the rods and cones of the retina of the eye. Today, researchers know that these omega-3 fatty acids are essential for normal growth and development and that they may play an important role in the prevention and treatment of heart disease.

Nutritional Science

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Nutritional Science