---
title: Are polyunsaturated fatty acids important for health? | Niyora
description: Yes. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential nutrients that cannot be made by the body and play important roles in cell function and disease prevention.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/alteration-of-polyunsaturated-fatty-acid-status-and-metabolism-in-health-and-2004/
---

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- Are polyunsaturated fatty acids important for health?

Review, 2004

# Are polyunsaturated fatty acids important for health?

Yes. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential nutrients that cannot be made by the body and play important roles in cell function and disease prevention.

 Early or limited evidence

General review - not specific population studied

## What they did

A review of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolism and their role in health and disease, including how red blood cell analysis can detect PUFA imbalances.

## What they found

Both n-6 and n-3 PUFAs must come from food and cannot be made by the body. They are essential for cell membranes and produce compounds that regulate body functions. n-3 PUFAs have anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and immune properties. Low or imbalanced PUFA levels are associated with heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.

## What it means for you

Polyunsaturated fats from diet are essential for health. This is a general review about fat metabolism and is not specific to PMS or PMDD. The main limit is that this does not address whether PUFAs specifically help menstrual symptoms.

## About the study

Original title Alteration of polyunsaturated fatty acid status and metabolism in health and disease Authors Zamaria N Journal Reproduction, nutrition, development Year 2004 Study design Review What was tested None - review of PUFA biology and nutrition Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1051/rnd:2004034](https://doi.org/10.1051/rnd:2004034)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Omega-3 fatty acids](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-omega-3/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/)

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