
	Omega 3 Info
	Antioxidant Omega 3
	Beef CLA
	Biochemistry Reaction
	Bipolar
	Chemical Configuration
	Chemical Formula
	Cooking oils
	Daily intake
	Difference Omega 3 and Omega 6
	Directions for Taking Omega 3
	Essential Nutrients
	Excess omega 3
	Fat, Protein, Carbohydrate
	Hemp Amount of Omega 3
	Kidney Functions Omega 3
	Nile Perch
	Olive Oil
	Algae Oil
	Omega Ratios
	Benefit Fish - Flax
	Eczema
	Omega 3 Deficiency Food Digestion / Gluten intolerance
	Aches and Pains
	Canine Renal Failure
	Omega 3 Fatty Acids for Dogs
	Fish Oil Linolenic Acid Content

Chemical Configuration of Omega 3 6 9

You might ask, “Why do I care about the chemical configuration of omega 3 fatty acids?” And the answer would be that it’s the key to how they work and why all the claims about them are accurate. When you hear that omega 3’s can keep you from having a heart attack, improve your baby’s IQ, help you mother’s memory problems, relieve your arthritis pain, prevent cancer and cure your skin problems…there’s a natural tendency toward skepticism.

There are, of course, no magic formulas for good health. Every person is unique, and has unique health challenges. People who take fish oil do have heart attacks. The more we know about omega 3’s, however, the more we understand how important they are and how many body systems they are involved in.

The other thing we know is that we don’t get enough omega 3’s naturally. Because of changes in agriculture and food production, the Western diet is severely deficient in omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3’s used to be plentiful in our diets. Now, although we have more food and more food variety than any other human beings have ever had, we’re missing the important omega 3’s.

Back to the chemical configuration of omega 3 fatty acids. Fat molecules are long chains of carbon atoms stuck together, with hydrogen atoms stuck to each carbon molecule. The chain has a beginning (alpha end) and an end (omega end). The alpha end of a fat molecule has two oxygen atoms and one hydrogen atom stuck to it. The omega end can attach to other molecules. Fat molecules are large molecules, which is why they are harder to digest and why they have more calories (energy) than carbohydrate or protein molecules.

There are several kinds of fats, and the molecular shape is what determines the physical properties of each.

Saturated fats have no double bonds between the carbon atoms. They are fully “saturated,” meaning each carbon has as many hydrogen atoms attached to it as possible. Saturated fat molecules are stiff and straight, and they stack up close together like sardines in a can. They like to attach to blood vessel walls, where they form plaques. When they are used to make cell membranes, the cell is rigid and impermeable, which is unhealthy. Stiff cells have difficulty with normal cell division.

Monounsaturated fats, also called omega 9 fats, have one double bond between the 9th and 10th carbon atoms from the omega end of the molecule (hence, the name omega 9). The double bond puts a bend in the molecule and makes it more flexible.

Polyunsaturated fats have two or more double bonds. Each double bond changes the shape of the molecule and puts a twist or a bend in it.

Omega 6 fatty acids have the first double bond between the 6th and 7th carbon molecule. Their shape is twisty, and when they are part of a cell membrane, the membrane is flexible. This allows for the proper flow of materials in and out of the cell, and for normal cell division. The shape of omega 6 fatty acids also attracts substances that initiate the inflammatory response. When a cell is injured, omega 6 fatty acids are released for that reason.

Omega 3 fatty acids (finally we get here) have the first double bond between the 3rd and 4th carbon atoms. This makes them the most flexible of all fat molecules. When they are part of the cell membrane, normal cell functions and division occur easily. In healthy situations, omega 3 fatty acids compete with omega 6 fatty acids for the same materials, which keeps the inflammatory response from continuing when it is not needed.

Even among omega 3’s, some kinds of molecules are more flexible than others. For instance, the omega 3 fatty acid DHA is predominant in cell membranes of the eye, brain and sperm. These are the most flexible and permeable cells in the body, and that flexibility is thought to be necessary for sight, cognitive processes and motility.

That’s why the chemical configuration of omega 3 fatty acids is relevant. And the claims of their effectiveness are true because omega 3 fatty acids are needed by every cell in your body for normal function and cell division, and to keep inflammation in check. They really are that important.

Omega 3 fish oils Pure EPA is available exclusively from mind 1st.

Mind1st Information Line: 01772 883950