Essential fatty acids
Essential fatty acids (EFAs), a type of unsaturated fat, are needed by the body to support and regulate important functions. EFAs can only be obtained from food sources.
Among their many functions, EFAs help create structural material for cell walls, provide protective padding for organs, maintain body temperature, and make nerve coverings. EFAs also are critical for making prostaglandins, which are hormonelike substances that are made and used by all cells. Prostaglandins regulate body functions, such as the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and nervous systems.
The two types of EFAs are:
- Alpha-linolenic acid (LNA or omega 3), which is contained in foods such as hemp seed, flax seed, pumpkin seed, walnuts, dark green leaves, canola, soybean, and cold-water fish.
- Linoleic acid (LA or omega 6), which is contained in foods such as safflower, hemp, soybean, walnut, pumpkin, sesame, corn, sunflower, and flax.
In order to maintain good health, it is important for people to regularly eat foods containing EFAs.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise