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I am having a hard time understanding what is "essential" about essential fatty acids. That the body does not produce EPA or DHA is necessary but not sufficien
by nano9 4y ago
I am having a hard time understanding what is "essential" about essential fatty acids. That the body does not produce EPA or DHA is necessary but not sufficient for the claim that humans need to consume n-3 PUFA. The body doesn't endogenously produce amphetamine or cayenne pepper, are those essential too?
When the human organism lacks n-3 PUFA, it generates n-9 20:3 LCPUFA (Mead) from 18:1 oleic acid (which makes up over 80% of the lipid content of olive oil). Is this Mead acid of no benefit compared to the n-3 series?
Secondly, it seems strange that supplementing n-3 PUFA is so popular, considering the brain seems to mirror overall fatty acid composition of the diet. Throwing in a little n-3 isn't going to change much when you're getting a lot of n-6 AA, and AA in the brain is linked to Alzheimer's and cognitive impairment. Therefore, outside of changing your diet entirely (or trying your best to cut out omega-6), there isn't much of a call to action from these studies.
- nikolay 4y agoAccording to Ray Peat, PUFAs in any amount are toxic to humans. It's so obvious that after we started to consume PUFAs, the mitochondrial dysfunction, and all associated with it chronic diseases and obesity started as well! I've only heard Ray Peat talk about cardiolipin and how detrimental the desaturation of fatty acids is for our health!
- eternalban 4y agoYou made me curious (and don't know anything about this subject) however the first result in ddg contradicts what you say: https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-omega-6 https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-omega-6
- nano9 4y agoSorry, I'm not a biochemist, which is why my post consists of two questions. I do think a diet with plenty of n-3 is good, just not sure how much or what type. But I'm glad I made you curious. Please do more research and form your own conclusions. Also please note that when I wrote AA I meant arachidonic acid, which your link unfortunately does not address. This is also my gripe. Information on fatty acids is extremely basic and sometimes downright condescending, as if all n-3, n-6, n-9 PUFA are the same. They don't seem to be.