This is a fact sheet intended for health professionals. For a general overview of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, see our consumer fact sheet on Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
Introduction
The two major classes of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Like all fatty acids, PUFAs consist of long chains of carbon atoms with a carboxyl group at one end of the chain and a methyl group at the other. PUFAs are distinguished from saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids by the presence of two or more double bonds between carbons within the fatty acid chain.
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/