What does the body use the fatty acid ALA for, besides making EPA & DHA?

Subject: What does the body use the fatty acid ALA for, besides making EPA & DHA?

Date: Thu Apr 7 16:35:58 2011
Posted by Lawrence
Grade level: nonaligned School: No school entered.
City: No city entered. State/Province: Indiana Country: USA
Area of science: Biochemistry
ID: 1302219358.Bc

Message:


Does the omega 3 fat alpha-linolenic acid have any purpose or use other than
being inefficiently changed into EPA and DHA? Asked another way, what direct use
or byproducts specifically make ALA essential to the body? 

I want to know because I'm curious if a diet with plenty of EPA & DHA but
lacking ALA would be in some way harmful.

Re: What does the body use the fatty acid ALA for, besides making EPA & DHA?

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