Topic outline

  • Welcome to Unit 1 - Chemistry, Metabolism and Biological Action

    Dietary fats can be classified according to their degree of unsaturation. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of the omega-3 and omega-6 series and their long-chain metabolites (long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids or LC-PUFA's), have received special attention in recent years because of their reported effects on human health throughout life.

    The PUFAs linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) are essential substrates that must be regularly supplied with our diet, as they cannot be synthesized in the human body. Once taken up into cells they can undergo metabolic conversion into LC-PUFAs, which exert various physiological functions. These include incorporation into tissues and cell membranes, especially in the brain, retina and platelets, interaction with transcription factors and involvement in signal transduction pathways. LC-PUFA's can be further metabolized into highly potent, short-lived lipids, so called eicosanoids, docosanoids and resolvins, which in turn influence a variety of body systems and clinical outcomes. Their effects on human health depend on the type of eicosanoid produced and are not only beneficial, but can also have some negative consequences; the development of the human diet towards an excessively increased ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acids is hypothesized to promote inflammation and inflammatory related diseases through the production of n-6-derived pro-inflammatory eicosanoids.

    An adequate intake of LC-PUFA's is vital throughout the lifespan with special emphasis in pregnant and lactating women as well as infants. Rapid accumulation of LC-PUFA's in the brain and retina takes place during the last trimester and to a lesser extent during the first two years of life, implying their importance for optimal development and function of these tissues.

    To understand the dimension of the meaning of LC-PUFA's for human development and health, it is important to first look at the chemistry and metabolism of PUFA's and LC-PUFA's, in order to interpret their role in physiology and pathophysiology and to give appropriate recommendations of intake throughout the life span.

    The likely duration that the Learner will need to engage with the Material is 135 minutes.

    Module Overview

  • Lessons

    • lesson icon
      Lesson
      Lesson 1: Chemistry and Metabolism
      Go through the activity to the end
    • lesson icon
      Lesson
      Lesson 2: Physiological activities
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    • lesson icon
      Lesson
      Lesson 3: Dietary sources
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    • lesson icon
      Lesson
      Key statements Lesson
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  • CME Certificate of Completion

    Please Note: Starting September 1, 2020, all CME Certificates of Completion will be available for purchase for 5,00 € (excl. VAT) per 1 European CME credit to health care professionals in all EU countries only. The ENeA Global platform and modules will remain available to all non-EU health care professionals, but no CME Certificate of Completion will be available for purchase or download.

    The CME test will only be available once all elements in each unit are marked complete. To receive your CME Certificate of Completion, you have to successfully pass the CME multiple-choice test and complete the payment process.

    The CME Certificate of Completion for this Unit is available for purchase for 10,00 € (excl. VAT) in EU countries only.

    A CME Certificate of Completion includes CME accreditation from the following institution:

    • 2 European CME credits (ECMEC®s) which are equivalent to 135 minutes of qualification. The validity period for European Accreditation for this unit is 22.10.2019 - 21.10.2021.
    • 3 German CME credits. The validity period for German Accreditation for this unit is 16.03.2021 - 16.03.2022.


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    • quiz icon
      Quiz
      CME Test Unit 1: Chemistry, Metabolism and Biological Action Quiz
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  • Information about CME Accreditation

    European Accreditation:

    This unit has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) with 2 European CME credits (ECMEC) which is equivalent to a period of 135 minutes of qualification.

    The EACCME is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Only those e-learning materials that are displayed on the UEMS-EACCME website have formally been accredited. Each medical specialist should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

    US American Accreditation:

    The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Instructions for converting EACCME Credit to AMA PRA Category 1 Credits are available here.

    German Accreditation:

    This unit has been accredited with 3 CME credits by the German Medical Association.

  • Abbreviations & References

  • Proceed to Unit 2


    Unit 2