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The Role of the Essential Fatty Acids (Omega-3s)
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- Dihomogamma linolenic acid (4) is now converted by delta-5-desaturase to either Arachidonic Acid (AA)(11) or Series 1 Prostaglandins (8).
- As you can see, the preferred pathway(7) for omega-6 fatty acids is to the Series 1, anti-inflammatory prostaglandins (8) PGE1.
- PGE1 relaxes blood vessels, improving circulation, lowering blood pressure, and even relieving angina. It decreases inflammation response, helping to control arthritis and asthma.
- It also regulates calcium metabolism which is helpful in asthma.
- PGE1 also improves the functioning of T-cells in our immune system, which destroy foreign molecules and cells that can aggravate asthma symptoms.
- Finally, PGE1 prevents the release of inflammation causing arachidonic acid from our cell membranes.
- Now, this is important to understand:
- When there is a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet, the delta-5-desaturase enzyme (9), rather than being used to convert EPA into Series 3 (anti-inflammatory prostaglandins in the Omega 3 pathway), will begin to convert more DGLA (6) into arachidonic acid (11) and the inflammatory Series 2 Prostaglandins (13).
- COX-2 enzyme inhibitors reduce inflammation by blocking the final step (12) in the arachidonic acid to Series 2 Prostaglandin pathway.
- This is a good news/bad news story, because while they block the production of inflammatory prostaglandins, they also block the production of the anti-inflammatory Series 3 Prostaglandins in the Omega-3 Pathways.
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The Road to Wellness 
