IUPAC name: (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-Icosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenoic acid
CAS Number: 506-32-1
EC Number: 208-033-4
Chemical formula C20H32O2
Molar mass: 304.474g
Arachidonic acid (AA, sometimes ARA) is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid 20:4(ω-6), or 20:4(5,8,11,14).
Arachidonic Acid is structurally related to the saturated arachidic acid found in cupuaçu butter.
Arachidonic Acid is name derives from the New Latin word arachis (peanut), but it is important to note that peanut oil does not contain any arachidonic acid.
Arachidonic acid is also a precursor to anandamide.
Some arachidonic acid is converted into hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) by epoxygenase.
The production of Arachidonic acid and its actions in the body are collectively known as the "arachidonic acid cascade"; see essential fatty acid interactions and the enzyme and metabolite linkages given in the previous paragraph for more details.
Arachidonic acid in the body
Muscle growth:
Arachidonic acid promotes the repair and growth of skeletal muscle tissue via conversion to prostaglandin PGF2alpha during and following physical exercise.
PGF2alpha promotes muscle protein synthesis by signaling through the Akt/mTOR pathway, similar to leucine, β-hydroxy β-methylbutyric acid (HMB), and phosphatidic acids.
Brain:
Arachidonic acid is one of the most abundant fatty acids in the brain, and is present in similar quantities to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The two account for about 20% of its fatty-acid content.
Like DHA, neurological health is reliant upon sufficient levels of arachidonic acid.
Among other things, arachidonic acid helps to maintain hippocampal cell membrane fluidity.
Arachidonic acid also helps protect the brain from oxidative stress by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma.
Arachidonic acid also activates syntaxin-3 (STX-3), a protein involved in the growth and repair of neurons.
Arachidonic acid is also involved in early neurological development.
In one study, infants (18 months) given supplemental arachidonic acid for 17 weeks demonstrated significant improvements in intelligence, as measured by the Mental Development Index.
This effect is further enhanced by the simultaneous supplementation of Arachidonic acid with DHA.
In adults, the disturbed metabolism of Arachidonic acid may contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and bipolar disorder.
There is evidence of significant alterations in the conversion of arachidonic acid to other bioactive molecules (overexpression or disturbances in the AA enzyme cascade) in these conditions.
Alzheimer's disease:
Studies on arachidonic acid and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease have shown mixed results, with one study of and its metabolites that suggests they are associated with the onset of Alzheimer's disease, whereas another study suggests that the supplementation of arachidonic acid during the early stages of this disease may be effective in reducing symptoms and slowing the disease progress.
Additional studies on arachidonic acid supplementation for Alzheimer's patients are needed.
Another study indicates that air pollution is the source of inflammation and arachidonic acid metabolites promote the inflammation to signal the immune system of the cell damage.
Bodybuilding supplement:
Arachidonic acid is marketed as an anabolic bodybuilding supplement in a variety of products.
Supplementation of arachidonic acid (1,500 mg/day for eight weeks) has been shown to increase lean body mass, strength, and anaerobic power in experienced resistance-trained men.
This was demonstrated in a placebo-controlled study at the University of Tampa.
Thirty men (aged 20.4 ± 2.1 years) took arachidonic acid or a placebo for eight weeks, and participated in a controlled resistance-training program. After eight weeks, lean body mass (LBM) had increased significantly, and to a greater extent, in the AA group (1.62 kg) vs. placebo (0.09 kg) (p<0.05). The change in muscle thickness was also greater in the AA group (.47 cm) than placebo (.25 cm) (p<0.05). Wingate anaerobic power increased to a greater extent in AA group as well (723.01 to 800.66 W) vs. placebo (738.75 to 766.51 W). Lastly, the change in total strength was significantly greater in the AA group (109.92 lbs.) compared to placebo (75.78 lbs.). These results suggest that AA supplementation can positively augment adaptations in strength and skeletal muscle hypertrophy in resistance-trained men.
An earlier clinical study examining the effects of 1,000 mg/day of arachidonic acid for 50 days found supplementation to enhance anaerobic capacity and performance in exercising men.
During this study, a significant group–time interaction effect was observed in Wingate relative peak power (AA: 1.2 ± 0.5; P: -0.2 ± 0.2 W•kg-1, p=0.015). Statistical trends were also seen in bench press 1RM (AA: 11.0 ± 6.2; P: 8.0 ± 8.0 kg, p=0.20), Wingate average power (AA:37.9 ± 10.0; P: 17.0 ± 24.0 W, p=0.16), and Wingate total work (AA: 1292 ± 1206; P: 510 ± 1249 J, p=0.087). AA supplementation during resistance training promoted significant increases in relative peak power with other performance-related variables approaching significance.
These findings support the use of AA as an ergogenic.
Chemistry of Arachidonic acid:
In chemical structure, arachidonic acid is a carboxylic acid with a 20-carbon chain and four cis-double bonds; the first double bond is located at the sixth carbon from the omega end.
Some chemistry sources define 'arachidonic acid' to designate any of the eicosatetraenoic acids.
However, almost all writings in biology, medicine, and nutrition limit the term to all cis-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid.
Biology of Arachidonic acid:
Arachidonic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid present in the phospholipids (especially phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositides) of membranes of the body's cells, and is abundant in the brain, muscles, and liver.
Skeletal muscle is an especially active site of arachidonic acid retention, accounting for roughly 10-20% of the phospholipid fatty acid content typically.
Conditionally essential fatty acid:
Arachidonic acid in the human body usually comes from dietary animal sources (meat, eggs).
Arachidonic acid is not one of the essential fatty acids.
However, Arachidonic acid does become essential if a deficiency in linoleic acid exists or if an inability to convert linoleic acid to arachidonic acid occurs.
Some mammals lack the ability or have a very limited capacity to convert linoleic acid to arachidonic acid, making it an essential part of their diets.
Since linoleic acid consumption does not seem to affect levels of arachidonic acid in plasma/serum or erythrocytes, it is uncertain if humans can in fact convert linoleic acid to arachidonic acid.
Since little or no arachidonic acid is found in common plants, such animals are obligate carnivores; the cat is a common example of having the inability to desaturate essential fatty acids.
A commercial source of arachidonic acid has been derived, however, from the fungus Mortierella alpina.
Eicosanoid synthesis of Arachidonic acid:
Arachidonic acid is freed from phospholipid by hydrolysis, catalyzed by the phospholipase A2 (PLA2).
Arachidonic acid for signaling purposes appears to be derived by the action of group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2, 85 kDa), whereas inflammatory arachidonic acid is generated by the action of a low-molecular-weight secretory PLA2 (sPLA2, 14-18 kDa).
Arachidonic acid is a precursor to a wide range of eicosanoids:
The enzymes cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (i.e. prostaglandin G/H synthase 1 and 2 {PTGS1 and PTGS2}) convert arachidonic acid to prostaglandin G2 and prostaglandin H2, which in turn may be converted to various prostaglandins, to prostacyclin, to thromboxanes, and to the 17-carbon product of thromboxane metabolism of prostaglandin G2/H2, 12-Hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid (12-HHT).
The enzyme 5-lipoxygenase catalyzes the oxidation of arachidonic acid to 5hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HPETE), which in turn converts to various leukotrienes (i.e., leukotriene B4, leukotriene C4, leukotriene D4, and leukotriene E4 as well as to 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) which may then be further metabolized to 5-HETE's more potent 5-keto analog, 5-oxo-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-oxo-ETE) (also see 5-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid.
The enzymes 15-lipoxygenase-1 (ALOX15 and 15-lipoxygenase-2 (ALOX15B catalyzes the oxidation of arachidonic acid to 15-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HPETE), which may then be further converted to 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) and lipoxins; 15-Lipoxygenase-1 may also further metabolize 15-HPETE to eoxins in a pathway analogous to (and presumably using the same enzymes as used in) the pathway which metabolizes 5-HPETE to leukotrienes.
The enzyme 12-lipoxygenase (ALOX12) catalyzes oxidation of arachidonic acid to 12-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HPETE), which may then be metabolized to 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) and to hepoxilins.
Dietary arachidonic acid and inflammation:
Increased consumption of arachidonic acid will not cause inflammation during normal metabolic conditions unless lipid peroxidation products are mixed in.
Arachidonic acid is metabolized to both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids during and after the inflammatory response, respectively.
Arachidonic acid is also metabolized to inflammatory and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids during and after physical activity to promote growth.
Chronic inflammation from exogenous toxins and excessive exercise should not be confused with acute inflammation from exercise and sufficient rest that is required by the inflammatory response to promote the repair and growth of the micro tears of tissues.
Some studies giving between 840 mg and 2,000 mg per day to healthy individuals for up to 50 days have shown no increases in inflammation or related metabolic activities.
Others show that increased arachidonic acid levels are actually associated with reduced pro-inflammatory IL-6 and IL-1 levels and increased anti-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor-beta.
This may result in a reduction in systemic inflammation.
Arachidonic acid does still play a central role in inflammation related to injury and many diseased states.
How it is metabolized in the body dictates its inflammatory or anti-inflammatory activity.
Individuals suffering from joint pains or active inflammatory disease may find that increased arachidonic acid consumption exacerbates symptoms, presumably because it is being more readily converted to inflammatory compounds.[medical citation needed] Likewise, high arachidonic acid consumption is not advised for individuals with a history of inflammatory disease, or who are in compromised health.
Of note, while Arachidonic acid supplementation does not appear to have proinflammatory effects in healthy individuals, it may counter the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.
Health effects of arachidonic acid supplementation
Arachidonic acid supplementation in daily doses of 1,000–1,500 mg for 50 days has been well tolerated during several clinical studies, with no significant side effects reported.
All common markers of health, including kidney and liver function, serum lipids, immunity, and platelet aggregation appear to be unaffected with this level and duration of use.
Furthermore, higher concentrations of AA in muscle tissue may be correlated with improved insulin sensitivity.
Arachidonic acid supplementation of the diets of healthy adults appears to offer no toxicity or significant safety risk.
While studies looking at arachidonic acid supplementation in sedentary subjects have failed to find changes in resting inflammatory markers in doses up to 1,500 mg daily, strength-trained subjects may respond differently.
One study reported a significant reduction in resting inflammation (via marker IL-6) in young men supplementing 1,000 mg/day of arachidonic acid for 50 days in combination with resistance training.
This suggests that rather being pro-inflammatory, supplementation of Arachidonic acid while undergoing resistance training may actually improve the regulation of systemic inflammation.
A meta-analysis looking for associations between heart disease risk and individual fatty acids reported a significantly reduced risk of heart disease with higher levels of EPA and DHA (omega-3 fats), as well as the omega-6 arachidonic acid.
A scientific advisory from the American Heart Association has also favorably evaluated the health impact of dietary omega-6 fats, including arachidonic acid.
The group does not recommend limiting this essential fatty acid. In fact, the paper recommends individuals follow a diet that consists of at least 5–10% of calories coming from omega-6 fats, including arachidonic acid.
Arachidonic acid suggests dietary AA is not a risk factor for heart disease, and may play a role in maintaining optimal metabolism and reduced heart disease risk.
Maintaining sufficient intake levels of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, therefore, is recommended for optimal health.
Arachidonic acid is not carcinogenic, and studies show dietary level is not associated (positively or negatively) with risk of cancers.
Arachidonic acid remains integral to the inflammatory and cell growth process, however, which is disturbed in many types of disease including cancer.
Therefore, the safety of arachidonic acid supplementation in patients suffering from cancer, inflammatory, or other diseased states is unknown, and supplementation is not recommended.
Arachidonic Acid is an unsaturated, essential fatty acid.
Arachidonic Acid is found in animal and human fat as well as in the liver, brain, and glandular organs, and is a constituent of animal phosphatides.
Arachidonic Acid is formed by the synthesis from dietary linoleic acid and is a precursor in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.
Arachidonic acid is a long-chain fatty acid that is a C20, polyunsaturated fatty acid having four (Z)-double bonds at positions 5, 8, 11 and 14.
Arachidonic Acid has a role as a human metabolite, an EC 3.1.1.1 (carboxylesterase) inhibitor, a Daphnia galeata metabolite and a mouse metabolite.
Arachidonic Acid is an icosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenoic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid and a long-chain fatty acid.
Arachidonic Acid is a conjugate acid of an arachidonate.
Arachidonic Acid derives from a hydride of a (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-icosa-5,8,11,14-tetraene.
Arachidonic Acid is obtained from food such as:
-poultry
-animal organs
-meat
-fish
-seafood
-eggs
Arachidonic Acid is a natural fatty acid that plays an essential role in physiological homeostases, such as repair and growth of cells.
Arachidonic Acid is found in animal and human fat as well as in the liver, brain, and glandular organs, and is a constituent of animal phosphatides.
Arachidonic Acid is formed by the synthesis from dietary linoleic acid and is a precursor in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.
arachidonic acid is commonly used in arachidonic acid release assays and fatty acid metabolism studies.
Arachidonic Acid is an essential fatty acid and a precursor for all prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.
Virtually all cellular arachidonic acid is esterified in membrane phospholipids where its presence is tightly regulated through multiple interconnected pathways.
Free arachidonic acid is a transient, critical substrate for the biosynthesis of eicosanoid second messengers.
Receptor-stimulated release, metabolism, and re-uptake of free arachidonate are all important aspects of cell signaling and inflammation.
Arachidonic Acid belongs to a kind of polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid, which is highly biologically relevant.
Arachidonic Acid is abundantly distributed in brain, muscles and liver.
Arachidonic Acid is the precursor for all prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.
Most cellular arachidonic acid is esterified in the membrane phospholipids.
Density: 0.922 g/cm3
Melting point: −49 °C
Boiling point: 169 to 171 °C
log P: 6.994
Acidity (pKa): 4.752
Flash point: 113 °C
Appearance: Colorless to light yellow
XLogP3-AA: 6.3
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count: 1
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count: 2
Rotatable Bond Count: 14
Topological Polar Surface Area: 37.3 Ų
Heavy Atom Count: 22
Formal Charge: 0
Complexity: 362
Isotope Atom Count: 0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count: 4
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count: 1
Compound Is Canonicalized: Yes
An unsaturated, essential fatty acid.
Arachidonic acid is found in animal and human fat as well as in the liver, brain, and glandular organs, and is a constituent of animal phosphatides.
Arachidonic acid is formed by the synthesis from dietary linoleic acid and is a precursor in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.
Arachidonic Acid is an unsaturated, essential fatty acid.
Arachidonic acid is found in animal and human fat as well as in the liver, brain, and glandular organs, and is a constituent of animal phosphatides.
Arachidonic acid is formed by the synthesis from dietary linoleic acid and is a precursor in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.
Arachidonic acid is a long-chain fatty acid that is a C20, polyunsaturated fatty acid having four (Z)-double bonds at positions 5, 8, 11 and 14. It has a role as a human metabolite, an EC 3.1.1.1 (carboxylesterase) inhibitor, a Daphnia galeata metabolite and a mouse metabolite.
Arachidonic acid is an icosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenoic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid and a long-chain fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of an arachidonate. It derives from a hydride of a (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-icosa-5,8,11,14-tetraene.
Arachidonic acid is an essential fatty acid and a precursor in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.
The stimulation of specific cell-surface receptors activates phospholipase A2 leading to the release of arachidonic acid from the cell membrane.
Arachidonic acid also increases the uptake of glutamatic acid through enhancement of the EAAT2 subtype of glutamate transporter.
Arachidonic acid also enhances activation of potassium channels such as TREK-1 and TRAAK.
Various pathways using Arachidonic acid (AA) as the initial substrate are composed of dioxygenases that carry out a complex reaction involving abstraction of selected hydrogens and insertion of molecular oxygen.
Two major classes of enzymes, cyclooxygenases (COX) and lipoxygenases (LOX), are recognized for their prominent role in generating a number of important biological mediators.
Among these, prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs) are widely studied given their recognized role in human disease conditions as well as physiological and/or pathophysiological activities.
Of these biological actions, one of the most significant is the major role played by eicosanoids in inflammation, where they contribute to all of the clinical symptoms associated with the inflammatory condition, namely, pain, redness, and swelling.
The ever-growing number of molecules derived from AA includes other families such as lipoxins (LXs), hepoxilins, hepoxides, monohydroxyeicosatretraenoic acids (HETEs), dihydroxyeicosatretraenoic acids, and their hydroperoxy precursors. Whereas synthesis of most of these mediators involves the non-heme iron catalytic center typical of cyclo- and lipoxygenases, hepoxilins and hepoxides originate via heme proteins such as hematin and cytochrome P450.
Arachidonic acid is an essential fatty acid, which is consumed in small amounts in our regular diets.
Arachidonic acid is considered an "essential" fatty acid because it is an absolute requirement for the proper functioning for the human body.
Essential fatty acids (EFA's) are polyunsaturated fatty acids that the body cannot synthesize and therefore must obtain from the diet.
There are two families of EFAs: omega-6 and omega-3.
The most important omega-6 fatty acids are linoleic Acid (LA), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), dihomogamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), and Arachidonic acid (AA).
The most important omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish and certain plant oils.
Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, can be found primarily in seeds, nuts, grains and legumes.
Linoleic acid can be converted into arachidonic acid.
Arachidonic acid can be found mainly in the fatty parts of meats and fish (largely red meat), so vegetarians usually have lower levels of arachidonic acid in the body than those with omnivorous diets.
There is a great deal of controversy about arachidonic acid.
Heavy Atom Count: 22
Complexity: 362
Isotope Atom Count: 0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count: 4
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count: 1
Compound Is Canonicalized: Yes
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count: 1
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count: 2
Rotatable Bond Count: 14
Arachidonic Acid is an essential fatty acid, which is consumed in small amounts in our regular diets.
Arachidonic acid is considered an "essential" fatty acid because it is an absolute requirement for the proper functioning for the human body.
Arachidonic Acid can be found mainly in the fatty parts of meats and fish (largely red meat), so vegetarians usually have lower levels of arachidonic acid in the body than those with omnivorous diets.
Arachidonic Acid is important because the human body uses it as a starting material in the synthesis of two kinds of essential substances, the prostaglandins and the leukotrienes, both of which are also unsaturated carboxylic acids.
Arachidonic Acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid consisting of a chain of 20 carbon atoms with 4 cis (Z) double bonds at positions 5, 8, 11 and 14. Since the first double bond, with respect to the methyl end, is located at carbon 6, the molecule belongs to the group of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids or omega-6 fatty acids.
Some information says that arachidonic acid can cause health problems and other sources say it is needed to aid in muscle growth.
Arachidonic acid is vital to the operation of the prostaglandin system. Prostaglandins are part of a class of substances called eicosanoids.
Eicosanoids influence numerous metabolic activities including platelet aggregation (blood clotting), inflammation, hemorrhages, vasoconstriction and vasodilation, blood pressure, and immune function.
The eicosanoids contain twenty carbons and include the prostaglandins (PG), prostacyclins (PGI2), thromboxanes (TX), leukotrienes (LT), and hydroxy acids.
There are bad (pro-inflammatory) and good eicosanoids (anti-inflammatory) and they compete with each other.
Two prostaglandins arachidonic acid is the substrate to are PGE2 and PGF2a.
The first one is generally thought to be bad while the second is thought to be good.
Studies point to PGF2a, specifically, as being the prostaglandin most closely tied to increase skeletal muscle protein synthesis.
Skeletal muscle tissue has no capacity to actually store prostaglandins, so the only local source for PGF2a is the arachidonic acid that is retained in the outer phospholipids layer of each cell.
Arachidonic acid is the stretching of muscle fibers during intense physical exercise that causes arachidonic acid to be released and metabolized to active prostaglandins.
Arachidonic acid is actually the chemical messenger first released by your muscles during intense weight training, controlling the core physiological response to exercise and regulating the intensity of all growth signals to follow.
Also, anytime you have tissue injury, inflammation is involved in healing the wound.
Some prostaglandins have pro-inflammatory affects.
The fact is, if you work out, you have tissue injury - micro trauma to the muscle tissue.
As your delayed onset muscle soreness will tell you, inflammation is involved in the healing of this micro trauma.
Furthermore, in both animal and human studies it has been shown that exercise lowers the content of arachidnoic acid in skeletal muscle tissue.
Therefore, there has been talk of arachidonic acid supplementation.
The omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid families form different eicosanoids with different activities.
They compete with one another for the enzyme (PLA2) that catalyzes the release of the essential fatty acids from the cell membrane.
Also, they compete for cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, the enzymes necessary for eicosanoid synthesis.
A proper balance of these fatty acids in the diet is therefore important for the maintenance of good health.
An increase in the consumption of one family will reduce the synthesis of eicosanoids derived from the other family, which will ultimately have an effect on overall health.
According to many sources, humans evolved on a 1:1 dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3.
With today's typical "Western" dietary habits the average person consumes a dietary ratio of between 25 and 40 to 1 omega-6 to omega-3.
This highly imbalanced ratio is due to the dramatic increase in consumption of omega-6 fatty acids in vegetable oils, which contain linoleic acid, and meat and shellfish, which contain arachidonic acid.
At the same time, we are consuming less of the omega-3 fatty acids.
Since the omega-6 compete with the omega-3 fatty acids for incorporation into cell membranes and subsequent metabolism, high intake of the omega-6 fatty acids will result in an increased production of unhealthy eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid.
Omega-3 fatty acids produce eicosanoids that are anti-inflammatory.
These eicosanoids help support normal blood pressure by relaxing the arteries and blood vessels and decreasing blood lipids.
They also decrease blood-clotting factors.
Omega-6 fatty acids can produce both anti-inflammatory and/or inflammatory and vasoconstricting eicosanoids.
Omega-6 can be good for you if you take them in the right amount with omega-3.
Omega-3 can counteract the pro-inflammatory effects of omega-6 fatty acids.
When omega-3 and omega-6 are in balance, they are both very good but when omega-6 is in excess, they become bad.
For that reason, it is essential to have a proper balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
A healthy ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 ranges from 1:1 to 1:3.
Now that arachidonic acid supplements are on the market, athletes need to be aware that there needs to be a balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.
Supplementation is acceptable only if you are consuming enough omega-3 fatty acids to balance with the added omega-6 fatty acid (arachidonic acid) from the supplement.
You have a choice to make.
If your primary concern is muscular gain supplementing arachidonic acid could help as long as you are consuming enough omega-3 to balance your diet.
However, if you suffer from one of the many inflammatory conditions that plague many people who exercise (tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, etc.) then you should probably stay away from it since it can be pro-inflammatory.
Furthermore, if you suffer from diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, are pregnant, or are suffering from any inflammatory disease you should not supplement arachidonic acid in your diet.
Just remember if you are going to take arachidonic acid supplements you should have a healthy ratio of omega-6 to omega 3.
STORAGE OF ARACHIDONIC ACID:
Arachidonic Acid should be stored at –20 °C.
Arachidonic Acid should be stored in a dry environment.
Arachidonic Acid should be stored in moisture-free containers.
Arachidonic Acid should be kept in a well ventilated place.
Arachidonic Acid should be stored under an inert atmosphere.
Arachidonic Acid should be kept in clean containers.
Arachidonic Acid should not be kept in the same place as very strong bases.
Synonyms:
506-32-1
(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-icosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenoic acid
Immunocytophyte
arachidonate
(all-Z)-5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoic acid
cis-5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoic acid
5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoic acid, (all-Z)-
5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid
all-cis-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid
UNII-27YG812J1I
CHEMBL15594
CHEBI:15843
5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoic acid
27YG812J1I
Icosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenoic acid
cis,cis,cis,cis-5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoic acid
MFCD00004417
5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-icosatetraenoic acid
C20:4
[1-14C]Arachidonic acid
5,8,11,14-Icosatetraenoic Acid
(14C)Arachidonic acid
Arachidonic Acid, 99%
Arachidonicacid
Arachidonsaeure
Immunocytophyt
Vevodar
arachidonic-acid
CCRIS 6312
1adl
1gnj
1vyg
EINECS 208-033-4
Arachidonic Acid-d8
(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoic Acid
AI3-09613
(14C)-arachidonic acid
Spectrum5_001910
SCHEMBL16162
BSPBio_001539
MLS001361328
(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-5,8,11,14-Eikosatetraensaeure
BML3-B03
GTPL2391
5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoate
DTXSID4040420
BDBM22319
CHEBI:137828
HMS1361M21
HMS1791M21
HMS1989M21
HMS3402M21
HMS3649B05
ZINC4474696
5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-Eicosatetraenoate
Arachidonic acid, >95.0% (GC)
5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoic acid, labeled with carbon-14, (all-Z)-
Arachidonic acid, analytical standard
cis-D5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoate
LMFA01030001
s6185
AKOS015950830
CCG-214838
DB04557
FA 20:4
FS-58805,8,11,14-all-cis-Eicosatetraenoate
all-cis-5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoate
ARACHIDONIC ACID (20:4 n-6)
IDI1_034009
cis-D5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoic acid
NCGC00094608-01
NCGC00094608-02
NCGC00094608-03
NCGC00094608-04
NCGC00094608-05
NCGC00094608-06
(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-Icosatetraenoic acid
(all-Z)-5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoate
93444-49-6
AC-14348
AC-33769
ARACHIDONIC ACID (20:4, n-6)
Eicosa-5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-tetraenoic acid
SMR000857374
5,8,11,14-all-cis-Eicosatetraenoic acid
HY-109590
789-EP2277848A1
789-EP2277880A1
789-EP2280008A2
789-EP2289871A1
789-EP2292610A1
789-EP2295426A1
789-EP2295427A1
789-EP2295432A1
789-EP2298735A1
789-EP2301536A1
789-EP2301538A1
789-EP2305250A1
789-EP2305682A1
789-EP2305684A1
789-EP2305689A1
789-EP2308839A1
789-EP2308848A1
789-EP2308879A1
789-EP2311455A1
789-EP2311837A1
789-EP2316835A1
A0781
all-cis-eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenoic acid
CS-0032762
cis-Delta(5,8,11,14)-eicosatetraenoic acid
1753-EP2272832A1
1753-EP2277848A1
1753-EP2277858A1
1753-EP2295055A2
1753-EP2295423A1
1753-EP2298767A1
1753-EP2301922A1
1753-EP2305641A1
1753-EP2311453A1
1753-EP2311806A2
1753-EP2311830A1
1753-EP2314587A1
5-cis,8-cis,11-cis,14-cis-Eicosatetraenoate
Arachidonic aci
