Omega-6 fatty acid
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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.
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. [link]
Dietary sources of omega-6 fatty acids include:
- cereals
- whole-grain breads
- most vegetable oils
- eggs and poultry
- baked goods.[link]
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
- [The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids.]
- [link] Omega-6 fatty acids cause prostate tumor cell growth in culture
- [link] Omega-6 fatty acids linked to major depression
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