Essential fatty acids abnormal metabolism

Deficiency states seem to induce membrane disorders such as abnormalities of the erythrocytes, increased skin permeability and mitochondrial damage resulting in an increased metabolic rate. The essential fatty acids also play a part in the transport and metabolism of cholesterol (page 267). Recently, evidence has been obtained that the various esential fatty acids may not have identical functions and it is suggested that linolenic acid and the fatty acids may be required in their own right. The polyunsaturated fatty acids are protected against peroxidation by vitamin E (page 158). 

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