Are Polyunsaturated Fats Better for Health?

What do coconut oil, avocados and many misunderstandings have in common? Big Sugar slandered Fett in a negative press spree. Science still misunderstands various fats in our diets, but the industry has always been the spin doctor, pushing ideas for profit. However, there are several types of polyunsaturated fats that don’t exactly win the battle for health benefits against other lipids.

Omega V. Omega

First, we need to pit different polyunsaturated fats against each other. On the one hand, we have gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-6 fat. And on the other hand, there are omega-3 fats like alpha-linolenic acid. Gamma is metabolized directly to arachidonic acid, avoiding immediate endocannabinoid synthesis. By increasing omega-3 levels, a healthy ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids can be achieved instead of skipping omega-6.

Omega-3 fat found in fish, seeds and nuts breaks down into EPA and DHA – the origins of endocannabinoid synthesis. Finally, omega-3 fats produce pro-inflammatory agents. However, at the center are anti-inflammatory endocannabinoids to help balance the system. In contrast, pro-inflammatory mediators sit at the bottom of the omega-6 axis.

Omega-3 and omega-6 are both polyunsaturated fats, but they have different health effects. Photo courtesy of Aqeel et al.

The secret of a saturated fat

Saturated fats are usually solid and therefore more likely to cause heart disease than liquid polyunsaturated fats. One argument in favor of coconut oil and its predominant Lurix fat content is its melting point. Coconut oil becomes liquid at body temperature. However, unlike omega-3, saturated fats are not essential as the body produces them itself.

However, one type of fat known as palmitic acid is important. Unlike animal fat or palm kernel oil, coconut is not a rich source of palmitic acid. recommend health organizations versus saturated fats, including palm oil, for their effects on artery and heart health. Researchers often seem to neglect the main benefits of palmitic acid.

Self-Regulating Fat

Palmitoyl is a form of palmitic acid that is activated with a carboxylic acid (acyl) derivative. As such, palmitic acid is a precursor to another lipid known as N-palmitoyl ethanol amide, also known as PEA. Otherwise, another source of PEA is the same precursor that produces anandamide. Regardless of its origin, the lipid derivative of palmitic acid, PEA, activates an extraordinary messenger substance called PPAR.

Wrongly thought in the 1990s to agonize the second CB receptor, PEA does not activate endocannabinoids or directly related receptors. However, the short fatty acid derivative activates PPAR-alpha.

Seed oils contain polyunsaturated fats, but are often heavily processed and extracted with chemical solvents.

Best of both worlds

Omega-3 fats turn into endocannabinoids and other vital biological messengers that are not produced internally by humans. They are essential, meaning we need them from our diet. Omega-6 is also essential, and there is evidence that a diet high in omega-6 fat does not increase inflammatory biomarkers. Saturated fats, on the other hand, are not essential. Although palmitic acid is an important but little discussed regulatory agent.

Experts often recommend a fully balanced diet without overdoing one ingredient. Adequate health requires an adequate amount of omega-3 fats relative to omega-6. And of course, some saturated, monosaturated, and polyunsaturated fats are necessary for good health.

Let us know which fats you prefer in the comments. Are you maintaining an appropriate ratio of polyunsaturated fats?

Sources

1. Innes JK, Calder PC. Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Inflammation. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent fatty acids. 2018;132:41-48. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2018.03.004
2. Aqeel, Masooma & Ahmad, Shahryar & Patel, Jayshil & Rice, Todd. (2017). Immune nutrition in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Current pulmonological reports. 6. 10.1007/s13665-017-0171-2.
3. Petrosino, Stefania & Moriello, Aniello. (2020). Palmitoylethanolamide: A nutritional approach to keeping neuroinflammation within physiological limits – a systematic review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 21. 9526. 10.3390/ijms21249526.