What is "omega-6 fatty acid"

n. (context chemistry English) any polyunsaturated fatty acid having a double bond between the sixth and seventh carbon atoms from the end of the molecule farthest from the carboxylic acid; although they are essential fatty acids, there is evidence that excess levels can cause a number of diseases

n. a polyunsaturated fatty acid whose carbon chain has its first double valence bond six carbons from the beginning [syn: omega-6]

Omega-6 fatty acids (also referred to as ω-6 fatty acids or n-6 fatty acids) are a family of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory polyunsaturated fatty acids that have in common a final carbon-carbon double bond in the n-6 position, that is, the sixth bond, counting from the methyl end.

The biological effects of the omega-6 fatty acids are largely produced during & after physical activity for the purpose of promoting growth and during the inflammatory cascade to halt cell damage and promote cell repair by their conversion to omega-6 eicosanoids that bind to diverse receptors found in every tissue of the body.