Changes

==Why are they Important?==

==Why are they Important?==

Alpha-linolenic acid works in conjunction with linoleic acid (LA) to help maintain skin and hair coat quality;<ref>Bauer JE. (2007) '''Responses of dogs to dietary omega-3 fatty acids. '''''JAVMA'' 2007;231:1657-1661.</ref> EPA is incorporated into the lipid bilayer of cell membranes along with arachidonic acid (AA) and may dampen inflammatory reactions;<ref>Raphael W and Sordillo LM. (2013) '''Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Inflammation: The Role of Phospholipid Biosynthesis.''''' Int J Mol Sci'' 2013;14:21167-21188.</ref> DHA is conditionally essential for normal brain and retinal development in puppies and kittens.<REF NAME="Zicker" /><ref name="Heinemann">Heinemann KM and Bauer JE. (2005) '''Docosahexaenoic acid and neurologic development in animals '''''JAVMA ''2005;228:700-705. </ref><ref name="Pawlosky11">Pawlosky R, ''et al.'' (1997) '''Retinal and brain accretion of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in developing felines: the effect of corn-based maternal diets.''''' Am J Clin Nutr'' 1997;65:465-472.</ref>

Alpha-linolenic acid works in conjunction with linoleic acid (LA) to help maintain skin and hair coat quality;<ref>Bauer JE. (2007) '''Responses of dogs to dietary omega-3 fatty acids. '''''JAVMA'' 2007;231:1657-1661.</ref> EPA is incorporated into the lipid bilayer of cell membranes along with arachidonic acid (AA) and may dampen inflammatory reactions;<ref>Raphael W and Sordillo LM. (2013) '''Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Inflammation: The Role of Phospholipid Biosynthesis.''''' Int J Mol Sci'' 2013;14:21167-21188.</ref> DHA is [[Nutrition Glossary#Conditionally Essential Nutrients|conditionally essential]] for normal brain and retinal development in puppies and kittens.<REF NAME="Zicker" /><ref name="Heinemann">Heinemann KM and Bauer JE. (2005) '''Docosahexaenoic acid and neurologic development in animals '''''JAVMA ''2005;228:700-705. </ref><ref name="Pawlosky11">Pawlosky R, ''et al.'' (1997) '''Retinal and brain accretion of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in developing felines: the effect of corn-based maternal diets.''''' Am J Clin Nutr'' 1997;65:465-472.</ref>

'''Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are in competition for the same metabolic enzymes '''and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids as well as the total amount of each polyunsaturated fatty acid is an important consideration when evaluating dietary balance or when attempting to modify concentrations of these nutrients for health and disease management.

'''Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are in competition for the same metabolic enzymes '''and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids as well as the total amount of each polyunsaturated fatty acid is an important consideration when evaluating dietary balance or when attempting to modify concentrations of these nutrients for health and disease management.