Arachidonic Acid

- A high Arachidonic acid level promotes gallstone formation by stimulating mucin production in the gallbladder mucosa.

- Arachidonic acid may trigger brain inflammation. High blood levels have been associated with a greater risk of suicide and depressive episodes.

- Animal protein from meat and fish has also been associated with a higher risk of inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Arachidonic acid has been identified as one possible reason why.

Potential treatment:

Reduce or eliminate consumption of animal products.

Reduced intake of animal meats and fats, or low dietary intake of omega-6 fatty acids in general, can result in lower levels of AA. Lack of vitamin and mineral cofactors for the desaturase and elongase enzymes upstream in omega-6 metabolism might contribute to lower levels. Because of important immune and inflammatory signaling which requires AA, and its role in cell membrane phospholipid metabolism, lower levels of AA do have clinical significance. Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, and neurologic disorders like tardive dyskinesia, show depletion of AA in RBC membranes. Improving AA levels decreased symptoms in some patients. Monitoring levels and ensuring adequate dietary intake of AA is important in pregnant women, infants, children, and the elderly due to its importance for the development and optimization of the nervous system, skeletal muscle, and the immune system.

Arachidonic acid (AA) is a key omega-6 fatty acid measured in the OmegaCheck test offered by Cleveland HeartLab, which assesses cardiovascular risk based on polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) status.