The body does make saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids because it needs th ese in large amounts Two

types of EFAs - omega-6 family and omega-3 family The basic omega-6 fatty acid is called linoleic acid and it contains two double bonds. It is found in virtually all foods, but especially in nuts and seeds The basic omega-3 fatty acid is called linolenic acid and it contains three doub le bonds. found in some grains, nuts, eggs, organ meats and fish if these animal s are raised naturally, and in green vegetables if the plants are raised organic ally Essential fatty acids have two principal roles: As a constituent of the cell membrane - billions of fatty acids - half of these fatty acids are saturated or monounsaturated to provide stability to the membran e. The other half are polyunsaturated, mostly EFAs , which provide flexibility a nd participate in a number of biochemical processes Precursor for prostaglandins or local tissue hormones In fatty acid deficiency, body tries to compensate by producing a fatty acid cal led Mead acid out of the monounsaturated oleic acid 20-carbon fatty acid with three double bonds named after James Mead - p2 An elevated level of Mead acid in the body is a marker of EFA deficiency Mead acid acts as a "filler" Rancid CLO B6 can ameliorate the problems caused by EFA deficiency