Muscle growth, immune functions, maintenance of brain health. Involved in inflammatory and immune responses. Deficiency leads to immune system disorders, impaired muscle growth, cognitive function issues.
Arachidonic acid (AA) belongs to omega-6 fatty acids and actively participates in inflammation processes, immune response, and cellular signaling.
Arachidonic acid plays a key role in ensuring the normal functioning of cells. It is necessary for the synthesis of prostaglandins, which regulate inflammatory processes and support cardiovascular health.
Moreover, AA is involved in the formation of cell membranes, contributing to their stability and permeability.
An adequate amount of arachidonic acid is critically important for the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system.
The balance between arachidonic acid and other fatty acids, such as omega-3, is crucial for maintaining health.
Sources and Daily Intake Recommendations
AA is an important representative of omega-6 fatty acids and can be obtained from various food sources.
The main sources of AA include:
Meat products: beef, pork, chicken, and turkey.
Dairy products: butter, cheese, and milk.
Eggs: especially yolks.
The daily intake recommendation for arachidonic acid for an adult is approximately 100-300 mg.
However, intake may vary depending on individual needs and levels of physical activity.
It is important to remember that excess arachidonic acid can lead to inflammatory processes, so balanced intake is key.
The Impact of Arachidonic Acid Deficiency on Health
Arachidonic acid deficiency can lead to a number of negative health consequences.
Common issues related to AA deficiency include:
Deterioration of skin condition, including dryness and dermatitis;
Decreased immune function, increasing the risk of infections;
Disruptions in brain function, including decreased cognitive abilities.
Additionally, arachidonic acid deficiency can cause developmental and growth issues, especially in children and adolescents.
Possible forms and their learnability
Nutrient forms are listed from best to worst:
Natural food sources. Arachidonic acid is found in animal-derived products such as meat, eggs, and certain types of fish. Consuming these products provides the body with AA in a natural form that is well absorbed and utilized for maintaining various physiological functions.
Phospholipid complexes. Some supplements contain arachidonic acid in the form of phospholipids, which may enhance its absorption and integration into cell membranes.
Triglyceride forms. Supplements in which arachidonic acid is presented in the form of triglycerides are common. However, their absorption may be less effective compared to phospholipid complexes.
Ethyl ethers. In this form, arachidonic acid undergoes chemical modification, which may reduce its bioavailability. Studies show that ethyl esters of omega-3 fatty acids are absorbed less efficiently than their triglyceride counterparts; similar conclusions may apply to omega-6 fatty acids, including AA.
Risks of Arachidonic Acid Excess
One of the main risks is inflammation.
Arachidonic acid is involved in the synthesis of pro-inflammatory molecules, which can exacerbate chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
Furthermore, high levels of arachidonic acid may contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Excessive intake of omega-6 fatty acids, including arachidonic acid, can disrupt the balance with omega-3, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis.
Therefore, it is important to monitor arachidonic acid intake, especially if the diet includes many plant oils rich in omega-6, as this can lead to an excess of this nutrient.
PubMed studies(9)
✓Effects of eight weeks of eicosapentaenoic acid and medium-chain triacylglycerol structured lipid intake on EPA/AA ratio and muscle performance in young men.2026 04 16 · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
✓Gut microbiota in chronic inflammation: the interplay with lipid mediators.2026 05 06 · Gut microbes
✓Maternal bis-glycinate bound zinc supplementation alters sow performance and milk metabolomic-lipidomic profiles and mitigates piglet diarrhea.2026 05 12 · Veterinary and animal science
✓Chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer-based method to investigate the platelet surface molecule in acute myocardial infarction.2026 05 18 · Platelets
✓Euphorbia humifusa Willd. alleviates ulcerative colitis by inhibiting lipid peroxidation via ACSL4/COX-2 axis.2026 05 07 · Journal of ethnopharmacology
✓Integrative multi-omics reveals that Pueraria thomsonii Radix alleviates dyslipidemia by remodeling gut microbiota and regulating arachidonic acid metabolism.2026 05 05 · Journal of ethnopharmacology
✓Pilot study on cannabis-induced alterations in platelet function: implications for transfusion medicine.2026 03 23 · Platelets
✓Study of GJKBW against RA based on the Chinmedomics combined LIP-MS molecular fishing technology: A new strategy for discovering the therapeutic material basis.2026 03 19 · Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
✓Arachidonic acid intake promotes hypertension and target-organ fibrosis through CYP4A-mediated 20-HETE overproduction: Integrated evidence from human and animal studies.2026 01 05 · Clinical and experimental hypertension (New York, N.Y. : 1993)
The most important thing about Arachidonic acid (AA, Omega-6)See all
Published: 24.05.2024
Updated: 05.04.2025
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