Question

Your Great Aunt Vera has begun to take fish oil supplements containing EPA and DHA. What effect will this have on the following? Explain your answers. (A) Membrane fluidity. Explain your answer. (2 marks) (B) Eicosanoid production. Explain your answer. (2 marks) (C) Inflammation (2 marks)

Answer 1

Supplementation with EPA and DHA from fish oil can increase membrane fluidity, alter eicosanoid production favoring anti-inflammatory pathways, and therefore help to reduce inflammation.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Your Great Aunt Vera has begun to take fish oil supplements containing EPA and DHA, several effects on her body can be anticipated:

1. Membrane fluidity: EPA and DHA are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids which contribute to increased membrane fluidity. This is because the kinks in unsaturated fatty acid tails prevent tight packing of lipids, keeping the membrane more fluid and flexible.
2. Eicosanoid production: EPA and DHA serve as precursors to eicosanoids that tend to lower blood pressure, inflammation, and blood clotting. They competitively inhibit the formation of eicosanoids from omega-6 fatty acids, which are pro-inflammatory.
3. Inflammation: Through the production of specific eicosanoids, EPA and DHA can reduce inflammation, which is beneficial for cardiovascular health and may also have positive implications for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.