Dr David McGrath

Spine Physician

MB BS (Hons) FAFOM, RACP, FAFMM
Master of Pain Medicine

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA)

1. Only ALA and LA are thought to be truly essential, as the others can be made from these.
(this has been challanged.Possibly only AA and DHA are truely essential)
2. With poor conversion to the longer chain molecules (desaturase, elongase) EPA,GHA,GLA may also be conditionally essential
3. Too much LA (refined vegetable oils) can interfere with the production of DHA
4. Too much EPA (fish oil) can interfere with production of AA
5. Vitamin B6 necessary for production of EFA's
6. Deficiency marked by scaly skin, hair loss or infertility
7. EFA's can contribute to oxidative stress
8. Requirement thought to be minimal, with good diet (excess for pregnancy,children)
9. Sufficient EFA's supplied by animal fats. (best sources are liver,butter,egg yolks)

Chain LenghDouble Bond Position From Omega End	Omega 3	Omega 6
18 Carbon Atom	Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) C18,n=3	Linoleic Acid (LA) C18,n=2 Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) C18,n=3
20 Carbon Atom	EPA C20,n=5	Arachidonic Acid (AA) C20,n=4
22 Carbon Atom	DHA C22,n=6	-

Other Fats may also be Conditionally Essential.
1. Q10 is vital for energy regulation and output (made from cholesterol)
2. Lipoic Acid is essential for a number of reactions
3. L-Carnitine is essential for fatty acid transport into mitochondria

Fat Soluble Vitamins are Essential
1. Vitamin D3,Vitamin K1,2, Vitamin E, Vitamin A

(to be continued)