Mead acid

Mead acid is an omega-9 fatty acid, first characterized by James F. Mead.^[1] Mead acid is the only polyunsaturated fatty acid that the body can make de novum. Its elevated presence in the blood is an indication of essential fatty acid deficiency.

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Chemistry

Chemically, Mead acid is a carboxylic acid with a 20-carbon chain and three methylene-interrupted cis double bonds. The first double bond is located at the ninth carbon from the omega end. In physiological literature, it is given the name 20:3(n-9). In the presence of lipoxygenase, Mead acid can form various hydroxy products (HETE).^[2]

Physiology

Humans and other mammals require essential fatty acids (EFA). During dietary EFA insufficiency—especially arachidonic acid deficiency—the body will make Mead acid by the elongation and desaturation of oleic acid.^{[3] [4] [5]} Mead acid thus serves as an indicator of EFA deficiency. One study examined patients with intestinal fat malabsorption and suspected EFA deficiency. They were found to have blood-levels of Mead acid 1263% higher than reference subjects.^[6]

Alternative views

The biologist Ray Peat suggests that the term essential fatty acid is a misnomer and that the human body can make eicosanoid-equivalents from Mead acid.^[7] This view is disputed.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Mary Enig (Spring, 2005). "A Reply to Ray Peat on Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency". Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts. Retrieved on 2007-10-22.
2. ^ Cyberlipid Center. PROSTAGLANDINS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.
3. ^ Phinney, SD, RS Odin, SB Johnson and RT Holman (1990). Reduced arachidonate in serum phospholipids and cholesteryl esters associated with vegetarian diets in humans. Retrieved on February 11, 2006. (reference is to 20:3n–9)
4. ^ Lipomics. Mead acid. Retrieved on February 14, 2006.
5. ^ Gerard Hornstra (September 2007). "Essential Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Early Human Development". Fats of Life Newsletter. Retrieved on 2007-10-23.
6. ^ EN Siguel, KM Chee, JX Gong and EJ Schaefer (1987). "Criteria for essential fatty acid deficiency in plasma as assessed by capillary column gas-liquid chromatography". Clinical Chemistry 33: 1869-1873. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.
7. ^ Peat, Ray (2006). Aspirin, brain, and cancer. Retrieved on 2007-10-22.

See also

• Polyunsaturated fatty acid – lists of ω-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids; some others.