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Omega 3 Fatty Acid Structure
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a “saturated” fat and a “polyunsaturated” fat is? It has to do with the chemical structure of the fat molecule.
All fat molecules are composed of chains of carbon atoms connected to one another. Each carbon atom has four connections. That means that in a chain of carbon atoms, all but the two atoms on the end have two open connections. The carbon atom at the beginning (alpha end) of the chain connects to the carbon atom next to it, two oxygen atoms and one hydrogen atom. The carbon at the other end (the omega end) has three open connections.
Saturated Fats
Whether a fat is saturated or not depends on what happens with those open connections. In
a saturated fat, all of the carbon atoms in the middle of the chain connect
to hydrogen atoms with their open connections. For instance, butyric
acid, which is found is butter, is a saturated fat. It has four carbon
atoms. The alpha carbon connects to two oxygen atoms and one hydrogen
atom, and all the other open connections connect to hydrogen atoms.
Unsaturated Fats
In unsaturated fats, not all of the connections on the carbon atoms are used
by hydrogen atoms. Between at least one pair of carbon atoms, there
is a “double bond.” The carbon atoms connect to each other
twice, leaving only one free connection each. The double bond puts
a bend in the shape of the atom.
Omega 3 Fatty Acid Structure
The name, “omega 3” tells us about the structure of omega 3 fatty
acids. “Omega” means that you start counting the connections
between carbon atoms at the omega end, and “3” means that the
first double bond is between the 3rd and 4th carbon atoms (the 3rd connection).
The number and location of double bonds in a fatty acid molecule determines its shape. And the shape determines how your cells can use them. Unsaturated fats are bendy and they make the membranes around our cells flexible, so that nutrients can enter the cell and waste products can leave. Omega 3 oils are unsaturated fats, so the omega 3 fatty acid structure is flexible.
Saturated fats are straight, and they stack up close together, making the cell membrane stiff and less permeable. The cells become resistant to insulin and nutrients cannot enter as easily.Omega 3 fish oils Pure EPA is available exclusively from mind 1st.
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