life'sARA

What Is ARA (Arachidonic acid)?

Arachidonic acid, or ARA, is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid (PUFA) found throughout the body. It is the primary omega-6 fatty acid in the brain, representing about 48% of the omega-6 fats found there.1,2,3,4 Dietary sources of ARA include meat, poultry and eggs. In early life, breast milk is the dietary source of ARA (as well as DHA)5, as it always contains both ARA and DHA. Interestingly, ARA levels in breast milk are relatively stable regardless of the mothers’ diet, suggesting ARA’s biological importance in the developing infant.6,7

ARA and DHA are considered conditionally essential nutrients during early life8 and play key roles in the structure and function of human tissues, immune function, and brain and retinal development during gestation and infancy.9,10,11 Dietary sources of ARA and DHA are required to maintain ARA and DHA status in infants and young children due to poor conversion from their fatty acids precursors, linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) respectively.12,13,14 A balance of ARA and DHA in the cell membrane is important as this impacts function of the cell. Although DHA and ARA have discreetly different functions, their metabolism and functional activity are intertwined, with health benefits best characterized together.15,16

Science around ARA Omega-6 Benefits

  • Together with DHA, ARA supports body, brain, and eye growth and function15
  • ARA has a structural and functional role in all cell membranes and is also metabolically essential as a precursor and messenger for a variety of biological processes16
  • ARA is a precursor to a group of important metabolites which have many roles including regulation of immune function17, inflammation18, fertility19 and blood flow20

References:

  1. Martinez, M., Tissue levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids during early human development. J Pediatr, 1992.120(4 Pt 2): p. S129-38.
  2. Lauritzen, L., et al., The essentiality of long chain n-­‐3 fatty acids in relation to development and function of the brain and retina. Prog Lipid Res, 2001. 40(1-­‐2): p. 1-94.
  3. Salem, N., Jr., et al., Mechanisms of action of docosahexaenoic acid in the nervous system. Lipids, 2001. 36(9): p.945‐59.
  4. Crawford, M.A., The role of essential fatty acids in neural development: implications for perinatal nutrition. Am J Clin Nutr, 1993. 57(5 Suppl): p. 703S-­709S; discussion 709S‐710S.
  5. Yuhas, R., K. Pramuk, and E.L. Lien, Human milk fatty acid composition from nine countries varies most in DHA. Lipids, 2006. 41(9): p. 851‐8.
  6. Brenna, J.T.; Varamini, B.; Jensen, R.G.; Diersen-Schade, D.A.; Boettcher, J.A.; Arterburn, L.M. Docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acid concentrations in human milk worldwide. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2007, 85, 1457-1464.
  7. Crawford, M.A.; Wang, Y.; Forsyth, S.; Brenna, J.T. The European Food Safety Authority recommendation for polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of infant formula overrules breast milk, puts infants at risk, and should be revised. Prostaglandins Leukot. Essent. Fat. Acids 2015102-103, 1-3.
  8. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2010. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 91.
  9. Martinez, M., Tissue levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids during early human development. J Pediatr, 1992.120(4 Pt 2): p. S129-38.
  10. Koletzko, B.; Carlson, S.E.; van Goudoever, J.B. Should infant formula provide both omega-3 DHA and omega-6 arachidonic acid? Ann. Nutr. Metab. 2015, 66, 137-138.  
  11. Hadley, K.B.; Ryan, A.S.; Forsyth, S.; Gautier, S.; Salem, N. Jr. The Essentiality of Arachidonic Acid in Infant Development. Nutrients, 2016, 8: 216.
  12. Brenna, J.T. Arachidonic acid needed in infant formula when docosahexaenoic acid is present. Nutr. Rev. 2016, 74(5), 329-36.
  13. Pawlosky, R.J.; Lin, Y.H.; Llanos, A.; Mena, P.; Uauy, R.; Salem, N., Jr. Compartmental analysis of plasma 13C- and 2H-labelled n-6 fatty acids arising from oral administrations of 13C-U-18:2n-6 and 2H5-20:3n-6 in newborn infants. Pediatr. Res. 200660, 327-333.
  14. Carnielli, V.P.; Simonato, M.; Verlato, G.; Luijendijk, I.; De Curtis, M.; Sauer, P.J.J.; Cogo, P.E. Synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in preterm newborns fed formula with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 200786, 1323-1330.
  15. Crawford, M.A.; Wang, Y.; Forsyth, S.; Brenna, J.T. New European Food Safety Authority recommendation for infant formulae contradicts the physiology of human milk and infant development. Nutr. Health. 201322(2), 81-87.
  16. Koletzko, B.; Carlson, S.E.; van Goudoever, J.B. Should infant formula provide both omega-3 DHA and omega-6 arachidonic acid? Ann. Nutr. Metab. 2015, 66, 137-138. 
  17. Carlson, S.E., Colombo, J. Docosahexaenoic Acid and Arachidonic Acid Nutrition in Early Development. Adv Pediatr2016, 63,453-71.
  18. Crawford, M.A.; Wang, Y.; Forsyth, S.; Brenna, J.T. New European Food Safety Authority recommendation for infant formulae contradicts the physiology of human milk and infant development. Nutr. Health. 201322(2), 81-87.
  19. Richard, C.; Lewis, E.D.; Field, C.J. Evidence for the essentiality of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid in the postnatal maternal and infant diet for the development of the infant’s immune system early in life. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab., 201641, 461-475.
  20. Hadley, K.B.; Ryan, A.S.; Forsyth, S.; Gautier, S.; Salem, N. Jr. The Essentiality of Arachidonic Acid in Infant Development. Nutrients, 2016, 8: 216.
  21. Brenna, J.T. Arachidonic acid needed in infant formula when docosahexaenoic acid is present. Nutr. Rev. 2016, 74(5), 329-36.
  22. Hadley, K.B.; Ryan, A.S.; Forsyth, S.; Gautier, S.; Salem, N. Jr. The Essentiality of Arachidonic Acid in Infant Development. Nutrients, 2016, 8: 216.

Recent Posts

  • 3 Truths About Blue Light and Eye Health

    3 Truths About Blue Light and Eye Health

    What do blue light, the sun, and your diet including DHA have in common? Your eyes. That's right! Blue light, the sun, and healthy fats all influence the health of your eyes. Learn three truths about blue light and eye health. Read More

  • Video: How This Memory Champion Trains His Brain

    Video: How This Memory Champion Trains His Brain

    Nelson Dellis, 4-time USA Memory Champion and adventure sport athlete, shares what a typical day looks like for this athlete. Nutrition is an important part of his daily routine and his training program. Brain Armor with life’sOMEGA vegetarian DHA and EPA omega-3s help to support his journey. Read More

  • 4 Key Nutrients for a Healthy Vegetarian Pregnancy

    4 Key Nutrients for a Healthy Vegetarian Pregnancy

    A nutritious diet is essential for every mother-to-be as nutritional deficiencies are common during pregnancy, but for the vegetarian mamma, it is even more important. Learn about four key nutrients for a healthy vegetarian pregnancy from award-winning dietitian Melanie McGrice, AdvAPD. Read More

  • Caring for Your Parents – Omega-3s for the Second Half of Life

    Caring for Your Parents – Omega-3s for the Second Half of Life

    Many mothers are caring for more people than just their children, they’re also caring for their parents who need to maintain healthy habits throughout the second half of their lives. If you’re a caregiver, read on to learn how an important nutrient – omega-3s – can help support your loved ones’ health. Read More

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer.

Learn more