What Are Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids?

There are mainly two groups of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). They are omega-6 and omega -3 fatty acids. They are names after the number of double bonds that occur in their chemical structure. The omega-6 linoleic fatty acid and the omega-3 alpha linolenic fatty acid are known as essential because we must obtain them from food. It is from these does the body makes up other polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids play an important role in many functions of the body. Some of the omega-3 fatty acids are linked to a lower risk of fatal heart attack. These are mainly found in oily fish, while linseed, walnuts, soybeans, purlane and wheat germ provide the parent alpha-linolenic acid. Linoleic acid reduces the blood cholesterol and is plentiful in nuts, seeds and oils made from them. We only need small amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids. For a person eating 1800 calories a day only 20 grams of polyunsaturated fatty acids are sufficed. Most of us eat omega-6 but too little of omeage-3. this is the type which is usually found in oily fish.
One of the best sources of omega-6 linoleic fatty acids are sunflower seeds. They are excellent sources for vitamin E aswell.