The Biochemical Role Of The Nutrients

Posted: September 17th, 2022

Describe and discuss the biochemical role of the nutrients involved in the metabolism of fatty acid
Introduction
The Omega 3 and omega 6 pathway are essential fatty acids that are only acquired through the diet as they cannot be synthesized by the body. The omega 3 fatty acid alpha- linolenic acid and the omega 6 fatty acid linolenic acid undergo a series of elongation and desaturation reactions with the help of cofactors such as magnesium, zinc, folic acid, vitamin C, B3 and B6. In the omega 6 pathway, linoleic acid produces Arachidonic acid and Alpha-linolenic acid from the omega 3 pathway produces EPA and DHA. Both linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids produce the biologically active compounds eicosanoids. Eicosanoids from the omega 6 pathway produce pro inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes, whereas eicosanoids from the omega 3 pathway decreases production of eicosanoids from AA, therefore decreasing inflammation. Deficiency or inadequacy of nutrients in the inflammatory pathway can give rise to many health implications including rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases which I will be discussing further.
Actions and Mechanism of Action (MOA) The action is what it does and the MOA is how it does it. This is where you will include the nutrients and where they fit into the specific omega 3