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All edible oils, including vegetable carrier oils, used in aromatherapy and skincare products and cosmetics, are classified as lipids and are composed of fatty acids - that being a marriage between a fatty component and an acid component.
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We have included this page on our website for information purposes, since many of our visitors posed questions regarding fatty acids and their place in the body. |
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Fatty acids are the building blocks of fat in the body and in food, and are a source of energy as well as constituents of cellular membranes. The fatty acid molecule contains a fatty carbon chain as well as a weak organic acid that can either be saturated or unsaturated.
Fatty acids can either be saturated or unsaturated, and fewer hydrogen atoms in the structure results in less saturation.
Saturated fatty acids are normally solid at room temperature, and are mostly of animal origin. These saturated fatty acids, especially the long chained ones, are the ones that cause elevated cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDL).
It is also these fatty acids which we are advised not to consume too much of in our diet, since they can negatively impact on our health in general.
These fatty acids differ from their "animal cousins" since their structure is different, and are normally liquid at room temperature.
Except for palm and coconut vegetable oils, the majority of vegetable oils are mostly polyunsaturated fats. Good examples of polyunsaturated fatty acids are linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic acids. These are known as essential fatty acids, since they are required by the body, yet cannot be manufactured by the body, but can in some instances be synthesized by other nutrients.
The two most important essential fatty acids are linoleic acid and linolenic acid. Linolenic acid can be metabolized to produce two very useful fatty acids:
Collectively these are called Omega 6 fatty acids.
Linoleic acid is the main Omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acid found in cold pressed vegetable oils and a deficiency of this ingredient could lead to:
Rich sources of this ingredient are found in Evening Primrose oil, as well as Borage Seed oil.
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