Eicosanoid



Eicosanoids are signaling molecules made from the long chain fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), arachidonic acid (AA) or dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA).

Eicosanoids derived from Omega-6 fatty acids tend to be pro-inflammatory while those derived from Omega-3 fatty acids tend to be anti-inflammatory.

Eicosanoids include leukotrienes, eoxins and three types of prostanoids – prostaglandins, prostacyclins and thromboxanes.

Eicosanoids are involved in vasodilation and vasoconstriction, promotion of sleep, pain and fever.

Inhibition of Omega 6 products by Omega 3 supplementation
Omega-3 and Omega-6 derived eicosanoids compete with each other in three ways: displacement (dietary Omega 3 decreases tissue concentrations of AA), competitive inhibition (DGLA and EPA compete with AA for enzymes), and counteraction (some DGLA and EPA-derived eicosanoids counteract their AA derived counterparts).