What are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids which have a double bond (C=C) at the third carbon atom from the end of the carbon chain. It is a group of fatty acids which have the first unsaturated bond in the third position from the omega carbon.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids are believed to prevent insulin resistance, reduce serum triglycerides, prolong bleeding times, improve lipid profile, decrease platelet adhesiveness, and reduce platelet counts.
Table of Contents
- Structure of Omega-3 Fatty Acid
- Types of Omega-3 Fatty Acid
- Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acid
- List of omega-3 fatty acids
- Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Structure of Omega-3 Fatty Acid
The fatty acids have two ends, the carboxylic acid (-COOH) end, which is considered the beginning of the chain, thus “alpha”, and the methyl (CH3) end, which is considered the tail of the chain, thus “omega”.
The chemical names of Omega-3 Fatty Acids are Omega-3, Fatty Acids, N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid, and Omega-3 Polyunsaturated. The molecular formula of Omega-3 Fatty Acid is C60H92O6 with a molecular weight of 909.39 g/mol.
Types of Omega-3 Fatty Acid
There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids that are involved in human physiology.
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is found in marine oils.
- α-linolenic acid (ALA) is found in plant oils.
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is found in marine oils.
Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Omega-3 Fatty Acids are often of marine origin. Marine algae and phytoplankton are the primary sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Sources of plant oils that contain omega-3 ALA fatty acids are:
- Edible seeds
- Walnut
- Algal oil
- Flaxseed oil
- Clary sage seed oil
- Echium oil
- Sacha Inchi oil
- Hemp oil
Sources of animal omega-3 EPA and DHA fatty acids are:
- Egg oil
- Fish oils
- Krill oil
- Squid oils
List of omega-3 fatty acids
The list of different names for the most common omega-3 fatty acids found in nature are mentioned below.
Common name |
Chemical name |
Lipid name |
| α-Linolenic acid (ALA) | all-cis-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid | 18:3 (n-3) |
| Hexadecatrienoic acid (HTA) | all-cis-7,10,13-hexadecatrienoic acid | 16:3 (n-3) |
| Eicosatrienoic acid (ETE) | all-cis-11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid | 20:3 (n-3) |
| Stearidonic acid (SDA) | all-cis-6,9,12,15-octadecatetraenoic acid | 18:4 (n-3) |
| Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) | all-cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid | 20:5 (n-3) |
| Eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA) | all-cis-8,11,14,17-eicosatetraenoic acid | 20:4 (n-3) |
| Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) | all-cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid | 22:6 (n-3) |
| Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA),
Clupanodonic acid |
all-cis-7,10,13,16,19-docosapentaenoic acid | 22:5 (n-3) |
| Tetracosahexaenoic acid (Nisinic acid) | all-cis-6,9,12,15,18,21-tetracosahexaenoic acid | 24:6 (n-3) |
| Tetracosapentaenoic acid | all-cis-9,12,15,18,21-tetracosapentaenoic acid | 24:5 (n-3) |
Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are very important. This acid has all sorts of powerful health benefits for the human body and brain. Some benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids are mentioned below.
- Omega-3 fatty acids can fight depression and anxiety.
- It improves eye health.
- The fatty acid promotes brain health during pregnancy.
- It improves risk factors for heart disease.
- It can reduce symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
- Omega-3s can fight inflammation and fight autoimmune diseases.
- It helps to improve mental disorders.
- Omega-3 fatty acids can fight age-related mental decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
- It can reduce asthma in children.
- Omega-3s helps to reduce fat in the liver.
To know more about the properties and benefits of fatty acids stay tuned with BYJU’S.
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