What is the definition of an essential fatty acid?
An essential fatty acid is a type of fat that the body needs for basic cell functions, but which cannot produced by the body. There are a number of examples of essential fatty acids found within the two main groups of fatty acids.Types of essential fatty acidsThere are two types of essential fatty acids, Omega-3 and Omega-6. The body needs a balance of these two types of fatty acids, because they are not interchangeable within the body. Within these two groups, researchers categorize fatty acids as short-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, or long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, referring to the length of the molecule’s carbon chain and how saturated it is.ExamplesExamples of essential fatty acids include eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, two of the major Omega-3 fatty acids known for their role in promoting heart and brain health. Two main examples of Omega-6 fatty acids are linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic acid, found in most vegetable oils.FunctionThe body uses ess
