The Good Fat Chat Tables

 

Table 14

PUFA

Derived From

Can Be Converted To

Omega-3

Alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3)*

Eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5)

Omega-6

Cis-linoleic acid (18:2n-6)*

Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6)

Omega-7

Palmitoleic acid

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n-6)

Omega-9

Oleic acid

Arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6)+

*Essential fatty acids

+Conversion to AA from dihomo-GLA (20:3n-6)

 

 

 

Table 2

Population

Recommendation

Patients without coronary heart disease (CHD)

Eat a variety of (preferably fatty) fish at least two times per week.  Include oils rich in alpha-linolenic acid. 

Patients with CHD

Consume approximately 1 gram of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per day, preferably from fatty fish.  Consult a physician before supplementing.

Patients with high triglycerides

Consume 2 to 4 grams of EPA+DHA per day provided as capsules under a physician’s care. 

Adapted from the Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids, American Heart Association Recommendation, www.americanheart.org

 

 

 

Table 34

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Food Sources

Alpha-linolenic acid

Canola, flaxseed, linseed, and rapeseed oils, walnuts, and green leafy vegetables

Cis-linoleic acid

Cereals, eggs, poultry, most vegetable oils (especially sunflower, saffola, and corn), whole grain breads, baked goods, and margarine

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)

Human milk, evening primrose oil, borage oil, black currant oil, and hemp seed oil

Dihomo-GLA

Human milk, liver, testes, adrenals, and kidneys

Arachidonic acid

Human milk, cow’s milk, meat, egg yolks, some seaweed, and shrimp

Eicosapentaenoic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid

Marine fish

Oleic acid

Olive oil

Palmitoleic acid

Macadamia oil