Module 6 - Fatty Acids

Question 1

Big Ideas for Fatty Acids

Answer 1

1. healthy fatty acid deficiency is epidemic
   
   • musculoskeletal issues
   • endocrine issues
   • cardiovascular issues
   • immune issues
   • allergies, skin problems
   • depression
2. inflammation ca be effectively managed w/nutritional therapy, therefore reducing healing time

Question 2

2 fatty acids that are essential to the body

Answer 2

1. linoleic acid (LA) - precursor to all other omega 6
2. alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) - precursor to all other omega 3

** body can’t produce; must get from outside source.

Question 3

List 4 Roles of Fats

Answer 3

• provide source of energy (more consistent)
• important in make up of cell membranes
  
  • cell membrane made up of trillions of fatty acids
    
    • phospholipid bilayer
    • made up of a variety of sat, monoun, polyun fats
• necessary for healthy liver function: building healthy cholesterol and bile
• required for absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K
• required for adequate use of proteins
• serve as protective lining for organs of body
• play role in slowing absorption of food for proper energy regulation
• imperative to managing inflammation process

Question 4

cholecystokinin (cck)

Answer 4

• hormone that’s produced in duodenum in the presence of fats
• stimulates gall bladder to contract and send bile down into common bile duct
• signals hypothalamus to trigger satiation/fullness

Question 5

3 primary cofactors to be considered when balancing prostoglandin formation

Answer 5

1. proper digestion
   
   • good fat digestion
2. proper liver function
   
   • good bile digestion and liver function to provide enzymes
3. enzymes (including delta-6 desaturase)
   
   • amino acids (properly digest proteins)
   • vitamin b6 (often found in organ meats)
   • magnesium
   • zinc

Question 6

explain the impacts of a diet low in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to the healing process

Answer 6

• body needs to be able to inflame and anti inflame
  
  • anti inflammatory: pg1 and pg3
  • pro inflammotry: pg2
• when low in omega 3 (ALA), body will not be able to contribute enough anti-inflammatory prostoglandins in the body, which will allow inflammatory to get out of control and may form diseases
  
  • can’t conjugate to make pg3 hormones
• when low in omega 6 (LA), body is less likely to conjugate fatty acid chains that are the main ingredients for pg1s
• therefore, if body is low in o-3 and o-6 and no longer making proper amounts and quality of both pg1 and pg3, less ability to anti-inflame, inflammation will take over, and healing process is greatly slowed.

Question 7

what are prostoglandins?

Answer 7

• hormone-like substances the body can’t do without
• aka icosanoids
• long chain carbon molecule (24 molecules in chain)
• conjugated from taking 1 fatty acid and put together w/another fatty acid in body
• contributes to inflammations
• serves as communicators to maintain homeostasis in body
• increase blood flow w/i kidneys
• dilates bronchial tubes