Metabolism in vivo of deuterium-labelled linolenic and linoleic acids in humans

Over 60 years ago, linoleic acid (18: 2, (6) was recognized as an essential fatty acid with important physiological functions. Many earlier studies failed to identify a physiological role for linolenic acid (18:3,w3) and it was 40 years later before 18: 3, w3 was accepted as an essential fatty acid. The observations by Sinclair [1] deserve credit for biochemists becoming aware of the importance of w3 fatty acids. However, the metabolism and biochcmistry of w3 fatty acids have