Cell Membrane Fatty Acids and Health

All living cells, prokaryotic and eukaryotic, have a plasma membrane that encloses their contents and serves as a semi-porous barrier to the outside environment. The basic matrix of the plasma membrane consists essentially of two sheets (a bilayer) of phospholipids molecules. Among the significant components of cell membranes are the phospholipids, which contain fatty acids. The types of fatty acids in the diet determine the types of fatty acids that are available to the composition of cell membranes. The cell membrane that contains phospholipids made from saturated fatty acids has a different structure and is less fluid than the one that incorporates essential fatty acids. Fatty acids carry out many functions that are necessary for normal physiological health. Saturated fatty acids are non-essential fatty acids and are harmful if ingested excessively in food. On the contrary, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are designated as “essential” for good health as their metabolic precursors cannot be synthesized in the body and must be ingested by food intake. Increased dietary intake of omega-6 leads to production of prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes and interferes with the incorporation of omega-3 in cell membrane phospholipids.Omega-3 has the most potent anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is at the base of many chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer and mental health. Dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids may prevent the development of many diseases.