What Do Fatty Acids Do?
Fatty acids are a very efficient source of energy for the body. One gram of fat contains more energy than one gram of carbohydrates or protein. About nine calories of energy are derived from the body “burning” one gram of fat, whereas only five calories come from the “burning” of one gram of carbohydrates. The term essential fatty acid implies that the fatty acid cannot be manufactured by the human body and it must be ingested in the diet. If an essential fatty acid is not consumed in the diet deficiency will ensue in exactly the same way when vitamin or other obligatory nutrient deficiency occurs in the unbalanced diet. The omega 3 family of fatty acids include alpha-linolenic acid (LNA), stearidonic acid (SDA), EPA and DHA are found only in oils of marine origin, such as those obtained from cold water fish and marine mammals. • Tracing the Origin of the Health Benefit of Fish Oils There are many examples of differences in disease profile between races. Several factors may account for
