Paleo: What are Essential Fatty Acids?

Paleo: What are Essential Fatty Acids?

Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that are essential to the diet since the body is unable to produce these by itself.  These act as precursors to local hormone-like substances called prostaglandins which regulate metabolism and inflammation activity within the cells.

Because this occurs at the cellular level the effects of prostaglandin and deficiencies in these essential fatty acids can lead to ill-health.

The two main categories we will discuss are Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.  To promote good health these fatty acids must be eaten in the required amounts and ratio.

Examples of Omega-3 food sources: 

• Oily fish (such as salmon, mackeral, sardines, herring)
• Walnuts
• Naturally reared eggs
• Grass-fed meat

Examples of Omega-6 food sources:

• Sunflower oil
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sesame seeds

Both types of fatty acid are essential - however the key differences are omega-6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory and omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory.  

In tomorrow's post I will discuss the reasons for maintaining a healthy omega-3/omega-6 balance and why this is beneficial to human health.