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Linoleic Acid (LA) - Omega 6
Of all essential nutrients, our body has
the highest daily requirement for Linoleic Acid (LA). LA contains
two double bonds, giving it two kinks.
From LA our body produces
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA), Dihomogamma-Linolenic Acid (DGLA), Arachidonic
Acid (AA) and Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA) in that order. These Omega 6 PUFAs are
further metabolized into prostaglandins which promote both pro- and
anti-inflammatory properties.
Hemp Seed Oil can contain up to 60%
Linoleic Acid. All Linoleic Acid-related deficiencies can be reversed
through increased LA consumption. Symptoms of Linoleic Acid deficiency
include:
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Neurodermatitis, eczema and other skin disorders
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Dry, brittle hair / hair loss
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Liver & kidney degeneration
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Behavioral disturbances
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Drying up of glands and mucus membranes
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Slow or lack of wound healing
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Sterility in males
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Miscarriages
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Heart & circulatory problems
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Poor growth
Linoleic Acid (LA) is poly-unsaturated fat. LA is an 18
carbon chain fatty acid with two double bonds in the middle and is missing
four hydrogen atoms, all on one side. The first double bond occurs after
the 6th carbon atom. Because of this, LA is sometimes referred to as the
W6 EFA. Because of the four missing hydrogen atoms, LA is even more
bent than Oleic Acid, giving it a melting temperature of 23 degrees F
(-5C). LA is therefore fairly unstable, reacting with light and oxygen. Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA) - Omega 3
Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA),
sometimes called the super-unsaturated fatty acid, contains three double
bonds. The double bonds are positioned between carbons 3 and 4, 6 and 7 and
9 and 10 in the fatty carbon chain, giving LNA 3 healthful kinks.
From LNA our body produces Stearidonic
Acid (SDA), Eicosatetraenoic Acid (ETA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), respectively. These Omega-3 polyunsaturated
fatty acids are further metabolized into the "good" anti-inflammatory
prostaglandins (PG).
LNA has been used to decrease tumors in
humans. Studies in animals have shown success treating staph infections and
killing malaria. Hemp seed oil contains up to 20% LNA, perfectly balanced
with LA for optimum human health. Symptoms of LNA deficiency include:
Alpha Linolenic Acid (LNA) is an 18 carbon fatty acid with
three double bonds at the 3, 6, and 9 carbon positions. LNA is missing 6
hydrogen atoms, again all from one side. Because of the first double bond
occurring at the 3rd carbon atom, LNA is sometimes referred to as the W3
EFA. It is sometimes referred to as a super unsaturated fatty acid (SUFA),
even though it is also poly-unsaturated. Because LNA is bent more than the
others, it has the lowest melting point of the three, 10 degrees F (-12
C). (I have a bottle of Hemp Seed Oil in my freezer and it is still
liquid!). LNA is 5 times more unstable than LA and quickly goes rancid if
exposed to light or oxygen.
Oleic Acid (OA)
Oleic acid (OA) is a
mono-unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) with one double bond between carbons 9
and 10. OA is the most important non-essential fatty acid for healthy skin.
OA and all members of the w9 family can be produced in our body.
Gamma-linolenic Acid (GLA)
Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) can
only be found in a few edible oil seeds, including Hemp Seed. It is the result
of the first step in the metabolic unsaturation of the essential Linoleic
acid (LA). Healthy cells transform LA to GLA by removing one hydrogen atom
each from carbons 12 and 13 there by double bonding these carbons.
GLA and Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA) are
almost identical. Both are fatty acids with 18-carbon atoms in their fatty
acid chain, have 3 double bonds and have double bonds in the w6 and w9
positions. Their shapes are very similar except for the position of 1 double
bond. In GLA, it is between carbons 12 and 13 whereas in LNA, it is between
carbons 3 & 4. Because of their similarities, GLA and LNA have many
overlapping functions, however, their subtle molecular differences make them
incapable of substituting for one another.
Harvard clinical studies have revealed
that dietary GLA intake can decrease pain and inflammation by inhibiting
leukotriene production. Other clinical studies have shown that PUFAs,
specifically LA and GLA when topically applied, can alleviate or even remedy
skin problems such as Neurodermatitis, dry skin, atopic eczema and
psoriasis. These studies have specifically shown that the cracking or
scaling associated with these conditions can be reversed by skin care
products containing these omega-6 fatty acids. Additionally, the proven
anti-inflammatory properties of LA and GLA can aid in healing and improving
the appearance of sun-damaged, aged and chemically and laser treated skin.
Stearidonic Acid (SDA)
Stearidonic Acid (SDA)is the
result of the first step of the metabolic unsaturation of Alpha-Linolenic
acid (LNA). SDA is further unsaturated to produce Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA).
Arachidonic Acid (AA)
Arachidonic Acid
(AA) is the unsaturated derivative of DGLA, which is the
unsaturated derivative of GLA, which is the unsaturated derivative of the
essential linoleic acid (LA). AA is the parent to pro-inflammatory
prostaglandins (PG).
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) is
the most unsaturated Omega 3 derivative of the essential Alpha-Linolenic acid (LNA)
and is the parent to the PG3 family of prostaglandins (PG). It is 20-carbon
chain fatty acid with 5 double bonds. It is found in high concentration in
the human brain, eyes, synapses, adrenal glands and testes.
Eicosatetraenoic Acid (ETA)
An essential dietary component for
mammals. This free acid is the precursor for biosynthesis of the signaling
molecules, including prostaglandins. Within cells the acid is found in the
esterified form as a major acyl component of membrane phospholipids and its
release from phospholipids is thought to be the limiting step in the
formation of its active metabolites.
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is
the most unsaturated fatty acid derivative of Alpha-Linolenic acid (LNA). It
is the most abundant PUFA in the brain, retina and testes and is important
for the reception and transmission of impulses between brain cells. DHA is
involved in the makeup of synaptosomes and synaptic vesicles (both involved
in regulating nerve impulse transmission), myelin sheath (protective sheath
around certain nerves) and mitochondria.
Erucic acid (Omega-12)
This fatty acid is
apparently one of the components responsible for the favorable response of
persons with adrenal leukodystrophy to preparations containing rape and
mustard seed oils. In Zellweger syndrome, where peroxisomes are absent,
erucic and adrenic (docosatetraenoic) acids accumulate. It is speculated
that either the anabolic enzymes are inhibited from producing sphingolipids
or the catabolic enzymes are stimulated to faster clearance of the offending
products.
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