Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs)

Overview

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are fatty acids with multiple double bonds, divided into omega-3 (EPA, DHA, ALA) and omega-6 (arachidonic acid, linoleic acid) families. The omega-6:omega-3 ratio determines inflammatory tone — Western diets (~15:1) favor pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid metabolism, while ratios closer to 2:1 favor anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving mediator production.

Microbiome Interface

  • PUFAs modulate gut microbiome composition: omega-3 supplementation increases Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium; omega-6 excess favors Enterobacteriaceae.
  • Gut bacteria metabolize PUFAs, producing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and other bioactive lipid derivatives.
  • PUFA membrane composition affects epithelial barrier integrity and susceptibility to lipid peroxidation.

Disease Relevance

  • T1D: Omega-3 PUFAs ameliorate autoimmunity [1].
  • MS: Dietary PUFAs influence neuroinflammation [2].
  • Hashimoto's: PUFA intake affects thyroid autoimmunity risk [3].
  • ED: Altered fatty acid profiles in diabetic ED [4].

Cross-References

References (5)

  1. Xinyun Bi, Fanghong Li, Shanshan Liu et al. (2017). Bi 2017 — Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Ameliorate Type 1 Diabetes and Autoimmunity. Journal of Clinical Investigation. doi:10.1172/JCI87388
  2. Katz Sand I (2018). The Role of Diet in Multiple Sclerosis: Mechanistic Connections and Current Evidence. Current Nutrition Reports. doi:10.1007/s13668-018-0236-z
  3. Puszkarz I, Guty E, Stefaniak I et al. (2018). Role of Food and Nutrition in Pathogenesis and Prevention of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. doi:10.5281/zenodo.1320419
  4. Mohamed Raâfet Ben Khedher, Houda Bouhajja, Samia Haj Ahmed et al. (2017). Ben Khedher 2017 — Disturbed Fatty Acids Metabolism in Diabetic Erectile Dysfunction. Lipids in Health and Disease. doi:10.1186/s12944-017-0637-9
  5. Yin G, Chen F, Chen G et al. (2022). Alterations of bacteriome, mycobiome and metabolome characteristics in PCOS patients with normal/overweight individuals. Journal of Ovarian Research. doi:10.1186/s13048-022-01051-8

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