Describe and discuss the biochemical role of the nutrients involved in the metabolism of fatty acid

Introduction 

The Omega 3 and omega 6 pathway are essential fatty acids that are only acquired through the diet as they cannot be synthesized by the body. The omega 3 fatty acid alpha- linolenic acid and the omega 6 fatty acid linolenic acid undergo a series of elongation and desaturation reactions with the help of cofactors such as magnesium, zinc, folic acid, vitamin C, B3 and B6. In the omega 6 pathway, linoleic acid produces Arachidonic acid and Alpha-linolenic acid from the omega 3 pathway produces EPA and DHA. Both linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids produce the biologically active compounds eicosanoids. Eicosanoids from the omega 6 pathway produce pro inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes, whereas eicosanoids from the omega 3 pathway decreases production of eicosanoids from AA, therefore decreasing inflammation. Deficiency or inadequacy of nutrients in the inflammatory pathway can give rise to many health implications including rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases which I will be discussing further.

Actions and Mechanism of Action (MOA) – The action is what it does and the MOA is how it does it. This is where you will include the nutrients and where they fit into the specific omega 3 & 6 pathways and the specific enzymes involved. This section is where you will go into detail of the omega 3 & 6 metabolism.  

Elongases and desaturases add carbons and remove hydrogens.

Regulation – According to research identify and discuss the nutrients involved in regulating the inflammatory pathway. If you haven’t mentioned the inflammatory pathway in the introduction you can mention a very briefly overview here and then launch into the research of the nutrients in this pathway. 

In the inflammatory pathway, LA and ALA from omega 6 and 3 fatty acids compete for metabolism

Adequacy: What doses, according to research, are required of each of the nutrients to have a regulatory effect in this pathway? Research the literature for the doses required for these nutrients to have a regulatory effect. 

Health Implications: 

What are the health implications (diseases) of an inadequacy or deficiency of the relevant nutrients in the inflammatory pathway? This is where you will research the impact of a deficiency or inadequacy of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.   Marking Guide:

  

Allocation of marks

Available marks

Allocated marks

Comments

 

Format:

o Title page

o Word count

o Sentence and paragraph structure

o Headings and subheadings

o Writing style

o Language

10

 

Content:

Brief overview of fatty acid metabolism and the   relevant nutrients involved.

10

 

Actions   and mechanism of action

Ability to analyse, interpret and evaluate   information (especially from primary sources) to provide thorough insight.

30

 

Regulation:

According to research identify and   discuss the nutrients involved in regulating the inflammatory pathway.

15

 

Adequacy:

What   doses, according to research, are required of each of the nutrients to have a   regulatory effect in this pathway?

10

 

Health   Implications: 

Implications of inadequacy or deficiency

10

 

Substantiation

10

 

Referencing   format

5

 

TOTAL:

100

Actions and MOA- omega 3 first, mention inflammatory end products,

then omega 6 and its substrates and cofactors ect and then introduce pro inflammatory effects of omega 6.

Regulation- extension of the pathways, pro inflammatory- how both end products regulate each other and then introduce health implications, too much or not enough, act in harmony and keep each other in check