What are long-chain fatty acids?
Long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) contain 13-22 carbon (C) atoms. They are the most common fatty acids in the human diet and in the human body.
- Saturated fatty acids:
- Myristic acid or tetradecanoic acid (C14:0) (in nutmeg)
- Palmitic acid or hexadecanoic acid (C16:0) (in palm, palm kernel and coconut oil)
- Stearic acid or octadecanoic acid (C18:0)
- Arachidic acid or eicosanoic acid (C20:0) (in peanut and corn oil)
- Monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acids:
- Oleic acid (C18:1) (adrenoleukodistrophy, lowers blood pressure, stored in adipose tissue)
- Eicosenoic acid (C20:1)
- Erucic acid (C22:1) (in rapeseed, wallflower seed, and mustard seed)
- Nervonic acid (C22:1) (in treatment of adrenoleukodistrophy, MS)
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids
- Alpha-linolenic acid or octadecatrienoic acid (C18:3)
- Stearidonic acid or moroctic acid (C18:3)
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or timnodonic acid (C20:5) (in oily fish and fish oil)
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or cervonic acid (C22:6) (in oily fish and fish oil, microalgae Crypthecodinium cohnii)
- Linoleic acid (C18:2) (in seeds and oils: poppy seed, safflower, sunflower, corn oil) (diabetes, cystic fibrosis)
- Gamma-linolenic or gamoleic acid or GLA (C18:3)(autoimmune disease)
- Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid or DGLA (C20:3) (antithrombotic)
- Arachidonic acid (C20:4) (in phospholipids, precursors of prostaglandins, muscle strength)
LCFA can be absorbed only in the small intestine, so the small intestinal disorders or a surgical removal of long parts of the small intestine can result in fat malabsorption.
LCFA are a source of energy. They provide about 9 Calories per gram.
Foods High in LCFA
Foods high in LCFA include human breast milk, pork, beef, organ meats (liver, kidney), egg yolk and vegetable oils, such as sunflower and safflower oil.