Fatty acids are present in our food in the form of triglycerides & also determine the lipoprotein makeup in our body & hence cholesteril levels. A fatty acid is simply a chain of carbon atoms linked to an acid group. With only single C-C bonds we have a saturated fatty acid. Only one C=C double bond represents a monounsaturated fatty acid.
Any more C=C double bonds represents a polyunsaturated fatty acid.
A cis version of a fatty acid exists if the 2 carbon atoms adjacent to a C=C bond are located on the same side of the double bond. The trans configuration occurs when the adjacent atoms are on opposite sides of the C=C double bond.
Saturated fatty acids are usually linear & compact in nature....making them solids at room temperature. Double bonds are less compact making unsaturated fatty acids a liquid(referred to as an oil) at room temperature.
It is the omega-3 & omega-6 unsaturated fatty acids that have captured the attention of the health community. Linoleic acid is an example of an omega-6 fatty acid & is mainly found in vegetable oils. They are well known for their beneficial effects on the skin, balancing hormone levels & anti-inflammatory properties.
It is fatty fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids which are important in preventing heart disease, promoting proper brain development & function & have anti-inflammatory properties. Common amongst them are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) & docosahexanoic acid (DHA).
Trans fatty acids are considered the most harmful with regard to cardiovascular disease due to the trans double bond in the structure. The Food & Drug Administration has decreed that any trans fatty acids contained in food must be cited on food labels.
Blood cholesterol response to different fatty acids | ||
|---|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol (TC) | LDL | HDL |
| Lauric Acid ↑ | Lauric Acid ↑ | Lauric Acid ↑ |
| Myristic Acid ↑ | Myristic Acid ↑ | Myristic Acid ↑ |
| Palmitic Acid ↑ | Palmitic Acid ↑ | Palmitic Acid ↑ |
| Elaidic Acid ↑ | Elaidic Acid ↑ | Elaidic Acid ↓ |
| Stearic Acid ↓ | Stearic Acid ↓ | Stearic Acid ↓ |
| Oleic Acid ↓ | Oleic Acid ↓ | Oleic Acid ↑ |
| Linolenic Acid ↓ | Linolenic Acid ↓ | Linolenic Acid ↑ |
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