Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine

Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine

Rhonda O'Brien MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator

Heather Quinn MD - Family Medicine

<div id="HwMain" class="HwBlock"> <script language="javascript">  if (!window.org) var org = { healthwise: {'application':{}} }; else if (!window.org.healthwise) org["healthwise"] = {'application':{}}; org.healthwise.config = { root: 'https://assetpool.healthwise.net/14.4/common/desktop/alpine.rhtml.kbnet.awesome/', locale: 'en-us', version: '14.4', isoshg: false }; org.healthwise.document = {}; org.healthwise.document.id = "ug1520"; org.healthwise.document.section = ""; org.healthwise.document.healthwise = true; org.healthwise.document.title = "Essential fatty acids"; org.healthwise.document.family = "kb"; org.healthwise.document.doctype = "Definition"; org.healthwise.document.pagetype = "content";  </script> <div class="HwRow"><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar1"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomSidebar"></div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnContent"><div id="HwContentTop"></div><div role="article" id="HwContentWrapper" class="HwTypeDefinition HwContentWrapper HwElement"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentTop"></div><div class="HwContentHeader"><p><a name="top" id="Hwtop"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Top of the page</span></a></p></div><div class="HwContentTitle"><h1 id="HwContentTitle">Essential fatty acids</h1></div><div class="HwContent"><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionFloat" id="sec-ug1520-sec"><a name="ug1520-sec"></a><p data-fingerprint="ada2494f" data-fingerprint-exact="4486ad41">Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are polyunsaturated fats that aren't made by the body, and it's essential to get them from food. EFAs support and regulate important body functions in the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and nervous systems.</p><p data-fingerprint="07c21d02" data-fingerprint-exact="00336d88">The two types of EFAs are:</p><ul data-fingerprint="4d68740b" data-fingerprint-exact="c0016e0f"><li><b>Alpha-linolenic acid. </b>This is found in foods from plants like soybean oil, canola oil, walnuts, and flaxseed.</li><li><b>Linoleic acid. </b>This is found mostly in liquid vegetable oils like soybean oil, corn oil, and safflower oil.</li></ul></div></div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentBottom"></div><div class="HwContentInformation"><div class="HwLastUpdated"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Current as of: </span>October 7, 2024</p></div><div class="HwCredits"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Author: </span><a class="HwLinkDisclaimer" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en">Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff</a></p><p><a class="HwLinkDisclaimer" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en"><span><b>Clinical Review Board</b></span></a><br />All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar2"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomNavigationTop"><div class="HwSocialMediaIcons" xmlns=""></div></div><div id="HwNavigationWrapper" class="HwElement"></div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomNavigationBottom"></div><div class="HwElement" id="HwMediaItemsWrapper"></div></div></div><div id="HwFooter" class="HwBlock"><div class="HwDisplayNone"><div class="HwDisclaimer"><p>This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/terms.aspx">Terms of Use</a>. Learn <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en">how we develop our content</a>. </p></div></div></div> <script src="https://assetpool.healthwise.net/14.4/common/desktop/alpine.rhtml.kbnet.awesome/inc/control/healthwise.js"></script> <script src="https://content.healthwise.net/scripts/hw-content-custom_1.0.0.js"></script> </div>

University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority

We use cookies on this site to enhance your experience and improve our marketing efforts. By continuing to browse without changing your browser settings to block or delete cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies and related technologies on your device.

Language Access:  Notice of Nondiscrimination

UW Health Logo

Donations to UW Health are managed by the University of Wisconsin Foundation, a publicly supported charitable organization under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.