1. ALA Sources Omega-6 Pathway enzyme Omega-3 Pathway Sources AA EPA
alpha linolenic acid LA
Linoleic Acid
Safflower, sunflower, sesame, corn, soybean
Flax, canola, pumpkin, hemp, walnut, soy
D6 delta-6-desaturase
↑ by caloric restriction, ↑protein diet ↓ by sat’d & trans fats, DM, xs alcohol, aging, SNPs shift to Ώ6 by stress, DM, alcohol
Borage, evening primrose, black currant, hemp
SDA
Steridonic Acid
GLA
Gamma Linolenic Acid
elongase
DGLA
Dihomogamma
linolenic acid
ETA
Eicosatetraenoic Acid
Human milk D5
delta-5-desaturase
Fish oil
Series 1
Anti-Inflammatory
↓by high levels of EPA
partially saturated and trans-fats AA
Arachadonic acid
EPA
Eicosapentenoic Acid
Cell membranes
Cell membranes
Series 3
Anti-Inflammatory
& Less Inflammatory
elongase
DTA
Docosatatraenoic acid
DPA
Docosapentaenoic Acid
Series 2
Pro-Inflammatory D4
delta-4-desaturase D4
delta-4-desaturase
DPA
Docosapentaenoic acid
DHA
Docoshexanoic Acid
Fish oil, marine algae
Cox (cyclooxygenase) 1 & 2 activity ↓ by ginger, melatonin, turmeric, green tea, quercitin, & cayenne
Lipoxygenase activity ↓ by vitamin E, quercitin, cloves, turmeric, resveratrol, garlic, boswellia
Cox 1 & 2
Prostaglandins
Series 2 & 3
Leukotrienes
AA & EPA
Lipoxygenase