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Old 11-11-2006, 08:23 PM
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mrsD mrsD is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
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mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
mrsD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
Wink Hi Wendy....

All the the fatty acids have a function.

We can make our own (from the first essential ones-- ALA and LA).

Eventually thru many complex steps we do make EPA and DHA. Females moreso than males. I found a factoid a while back that females convert up to 20% efficiency (because they have to provide DHA for the developing baby), and males only around 4-5% from the essential precursors.

Fish have EPA and DHA in them because they eat smaller fish, who eat
smaller ones, who eat algae that live in the ocean. EPA is considered
more anti-inflammatory, as it inhibits the formation of Cox-2 cytokines (prostaglandins which are microhormones that signal cells) DHA is an integral part of cell membranes, and very important in the nervous system.
Here is what Dr. Sears says:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T040900.asp

EPA has a more global effect in the body, on many systems:
http://pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdru...eic_0104.shtml

They are both important, and they occur together as well.

Humans have extremely high concentrations of DHA in the brain. And this fact has led anthropologists to the theory that humans actually evolved on a fish diet, enabling brain development.

This article is very readable and even has pictures !! something often missing in the subject matter. LOL It explains alot in easy to understand terms.
http://www.fi.edu/brain/fats.htm

I am not a very good writer, and this subject is really hard to convey, so check out that last link. It is very good!
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Last edited by mrsD; 01-29-2014 at 07:38 PM. Reason: removing expired links
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