[Essential fatty acids in parenteral nutrition]

Abstract

Fat is a very important nutrient in that it supplies energy, essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins. The importance of n-6 essential fatty acids, i.e., linoleic and arachidonic acid, in total parenteral nutrition was demonstrated in the last 15 years by several cases of essential fatty acid deficiency. In addition, n-3 fatty acids, i.e., alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, are essential nutrients in forming an independent family of eicosanoids with biological effects different from those of the n-6 fatty acids. The requirement of different essential fatty acids in patients with total parenteral nutrition after heavy injury is of special interest with respect to the development and prognosis of shock, sepsis or adult respiratory distress syndrome. The available soy oil based fat emulsions contain n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in a suitable proportion of 7:1, but further information on essential fatty acid requirement in different diseases is necessary.