essential fatty acidsThe positive effects of iron and folate supplementation and the effects of essential fatty acid supplementation on the birth weights need not to be contradictory. There is evidence now that iron, folic acid, zinc and copper could all play a part in A and A desaturases system, and in the cyclogenases and lipoxygenases system that convert arachidonic acid to eicosanoids.

Studies on rats fed with fat free iron deficient diets on the one hand and studies on rats where iron deficiency was induced during pregnancy have indicated that conversion of 18:2 omega 6 fatty acids to their long chain derivative’s may be blocked in iron deficiency and that the cycloxygenases and lipoxygenases which convert arachidonic acid to eicosanoids are inhibited. Thus there is evidence in literature indicating an interrelationship between iron status and eicosanoid metabolism.

Similar evidence also suggest that zinc and copper may play a role in essential fatty acid and eicosanoid metabolism, zinc and copper being integral components of the A desaturase system. Accumulation of 18:2 omega 6 fatty acids in tissues of zinc deficient rats has been demonstrated. Copper has also been shown to play a part in the eicosanoid metabolism. It has been reported that folic acid administration increases the omega 3 fatty acids PUFA in plasma lipid fractions, in platelet, erythrocytes and intestinal phospolipids.

It would seem reasonable to propose that the micronutrients like iron, copper, zinc and folic acid on the one hand and essential fatty acids on the other do not act discordantly or independently of each other. But they contribute to a part of a part well-coordinated and orchestrated metabolic process. So we may be dealing with a well-coordinated symphony and not discordant solos.

 

Mike Maunu – Founder
Oxygen4Life.com

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