What does saturated, unsaturated, polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated mean?
What are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids? To understand that, we must look at the structure of the fatty acids. A fatty acid is a chain of carbon and hydrogen molecules bonded to each other and to a carbon, oxygen and hydrogen (carboxyl) group at one end. The carboxyl end is attracted to water and the rest of the chain is repelled by water. The length of the chain (number of carbons) makes one fatty acid different from another. For instance butyric acid, found in butter, has a 4 carbon chain while fish oils and brain tissue contain 24 carbon chains. The carbons always come in pairs. The carbons are bonded to one another by sharing electrons. You can think of this as similar to holding hands. The carbon connects to the carbons in front and behind by holding hands. Unlike us, carbons have 4 “hands” so each of the other hands is holding a hydrogen. When each of the carbon bonds is connected to a hydrogen, the fat is called “saturated”. When one or more carbons lets go of its hydrogen and
