FEATURES OF ARACHIDONIC ACID METABOLISM IN INFANTS

Abstract

Arachidonic acid is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) of the omega-6 class, containing 20 carbon atoms and four isolated double bonds. In the human body, AA is conditionally essential: it can be synthesised from linoleic acid, but this process is limited, which is why the majority of it must be obtained from animal-based foods (meat, eggs, offal). As a key component of cell membrane phospholipids, AFA performs vital regulatory, signalling and metabolic functions.