What Are Fatty Acids?

Fatty acids are known to be Carboxylic acids with long unbranced hydrocarbon chains. These fatty acids are known to be derived from natural fats and oils and are assumed to contain at least 8 carbon atoms

Get a detailed overview about the different fatty acids that exist and more information on Fatty acids.

Fatty acids are the basic components of fats and oils; they are mainly of three types saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Fatty acids also known as lipids or organic acids are necessary in the human body for a variety of functions. The human body produces fatty acids as an end product from the digestion of fats and oils.

Fatty acids obtained from natural sources can be classified as those obtained from animal sources and those obtained from plant sources. Most of the fatty acids obtained from plant sources are either monounsaturated or polyunsaturated except coconut and palm oil which is saturated while those obtained from animal sources are saturated in nature.

Essential fatty acids are those that the body cannot produce and hence have to be specially included in the diet; Linolenic and Alpha-linolenic acid are the two main essential fatty acids and are found in various plant oils like sunflower oil, safflower oil and linseed (flax) oil, in nuts and soybean among others.