Omega Fatty Acids: Biological Effects and Herbal Sources

Abstract

Omega fatty acids, one of the important components of the diet, are commonly known as omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9. The richest food sources of omega fatty acids are vegetable oils and fish oils. Omega-3 and omega-6 are essential fatty acids that must be taken externally. While mainly omega-3, α-linolenic acid (ALA) is of vegetable origin; eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are abundant in fish. Seeds of plants and especially nuts such as hazelnuts and walnuts are the main sources of omega fatty acids. Omega fatty acids, especially omega-3, have positive effects in many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cognitive functions, metabolic disorders, inflammatory diseases, oxidative stress, skin disorders, eye diseases, psychiatric disorders and Alzheimer's and are used in treatment. It is also known that they play an important role in fetal development. The omega-6 / omega-3 ratio should be low in order to see beneficial effects on health. The mechanisms of action have not yet been completely understood. In this article, it is aimed to review general information about important omega fatty acids, plant sources where they are found, their biological effects and uses.

Keywords

• Omega fatty acids
• Omega-3
• Omega-6
• biological effect
• herbal PUFA sources

Omega Yağ Asitleri: Biyolojik Etkileri ve Bitkisel Kaynakları

Abstract

Diyetin önemli bileşenlerinden olan omega yağ asitleri yaygın olarak omega-3, omega-6, omega-9 olarak bilinmektedir. Omega yağ asitlerinin en zengin besin kaynakları bitkisel yağlar ve balık yağlarıdır. Omega-3 ve omega-6 zorunlu olarak dışarıdan alınması gereken esansiyel yağ asitlerindendir. Başlıca omega-3, α-linolenik asit (ALA) bitkisel kaynaklı iken; eikosapentaenoik asit (EPA) ve dokosaheksaenoik asit (DHA) balıklarda bol miktarda bulunmaktadır. Bitkilerin tohumları ve özellikle fındık, ceviz gibi sert kabuklu meyveler başlıca omega yağ asidi kaynaklarıdır. Başta omega-3 olmak üzere omega yağ asitlerinin kardiyovasküler hastalıklar, bilişsel fonksiyonlar, metabolik bozukluklar, enflamatuvar hastalıklar, oksidatif stres, cilt rahatsızlıkları, göz hastalıkları, psikiyatrik bozukluklar ve Alzheimer gibi birçok hastalıkta olumlu etkileri vardır ve tedavide kullanılmaktadırlar. Ayrıca fetal gelişimin sağlanmasında da etkin rol oynadıkları bilinmektedir. Sağlık üzerindeki yararlı etkilerin görülebilmesi için omega-6/omega-3 oranının düşük olması gerekmektedir. Biyolojik etkilerinin birçoğunun mekanizması henüz tam olarak aydınlatılamamıştır. Bu makalede, önemli omega yağ asitleri hakkında genel bilgilerin, bulundukları bitkisel kaynakların, biyolojik etkilerinin ve kullanımlarının derlenmesi amaçlanmıştır.

Keywords

• Omega yağ asitleri
• Omega-3
• Omega-6
• biyolojik etki
• bitkisel PUFA kaynakları

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