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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Sep 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Nutr Intermed Metab. 2016 May 4;5:96–106. doi: 10.1016/j.jnim.2016.04.004

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Diagram illustrating the biosynthetic pathway of omega-3 fatty acids. The biosynthesis of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) from dietary α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) requires a series of microsomal elongation (ELOVL5) and delta-5 (FADS1) and delta-6 desaturase (FADS2) mediated reactions. The final synthesis of DHA is catalyzed by β-oxidation within peroxisomes. Metabolism of DHA yields inflammation-resolving docosanoids. Preformed DHA and EPA can also be obtained directly from the diet.