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Essential Fatty Acids
The subject of fats and oils tends to be generally confusing. Accordingly, taking fatty acid
supplements is also confusing. This short piece on fatty acids is designed to provide a
basic introduction to lipids and an approach to supplementing the diet with fatty acids.
Fats and oils are both made up of fatty acids. Triglycerides are lipid molecules that
contain three fatty acids attached to glycerol. When triglycerides contain mostly saturated
fatty acids, the lipid is solid or semi-solid at room temperature, and is referred to as fat.
Butter and margarine are fats. In contrast, when triglycerides contain mostly unsaturated
fatty acids, the lipid will be liquid at room temperature and referred to as an oil. Olive oil,
flaxseed oil, borage oil, and fish oil are clearly examples of oils. (more)
The subject of fats and oils tends to be generally confusing. Accordingly, taking fatty acid
supplements is also confusing. This short piece on fatty acids is designed to provide a
basic introduction to lipids and an approach to supplementing the diet with fatty acids.
Fats and oils are both made up of fatty acids. Triglycerides are lipid molecules that
contain three fatty acids attached to glycerol. When triglycerides contain mostly saturated
fatty acids, the lipid is solid or semi-solid at room temperature, and is referred to as fat.
Butter and margarine are fats. In contrast, when triglycerides contain mostly unsaturated
fatty acids, the lipid will be liquid at room temperature and referred to as an oil. Olive oil,
flaxseed oil, borage oil, and fish oil are clearly examples of oils. (more)
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