What Are Fatty Acids and Why Do You Need Them?

As more informed consumers, we’ve come a long way since the anti-fat rhetoric that pervaded the nutrition space for a few years. We now know that fat is an important part of a balanced diet and fatty acids like omega-3s are beneficial to our health.

But what exactly are fatty acids, and are they the same as fat? Why are they good for us? Here’s what you need to know.

What Are Fatty Acids?

Fatty acids are carboxylic acids that consist of carbon and hydrogen atoms and serve as the building blocks of fat. They contribute to cell membrane support, long-term fuel storage, and hormonal and metabolic signaling.

Depending on their chemical structure, fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated, says Brittany Linn, RD, CDN, owner of B….