Exogenous Supply of Essential Fatty Acids

Exogenous supply of essential fatty acids refers to the provision of fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by the human body and must therefore be obtained from dietary sources. The two primary essential fatty acids (EFAs) are linoleic acid (LA, an omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, an omega-3 fatty acid). These EFAs serve as precursors for longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EFAs are critical for various cellular metabolic processes, including: maintenance and function of tissues and organs, formation of cell membranes, precursor roles in synthesizing bioactive lipid mediators, and modulation of inflammation, vascular tone, cognitive development in infants, and visual function. Supplementing diets with EFAs may have therapeutic benefits such as cardiovascular health improvement and cognitive development support in infants.