Define Categories of Fatty Acids?

The fatty acids can be discussed under following heads:

• Saturated and Unsaturated,
• Short chain, medium chain and long chain,
• Essential fatty acids, and
• Trans-fatty acids

These categories are more suitable from the nutritional standpoint of view and are not essentially exclusive. The fatty acid per se may overlap in these categories but their applications in normal and therapeutic diets warrants this classification. For example, a dietician prescribes medium chain triglycerides in liver disorders. On the other hand, saturated fatty acid intake should be limited in normal diets for prevention of heart diseases.