Arachidonic acid is present in all mammalian cells, is usually esterified to form membrane phospholipids, and is one of the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acids in human tissues. High-purity arachidonic acid powder is a direct precursor for the synthesis of eicosane derivatives such as prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes. These bioactive substances have very important effects on the human cardiovascular system and immune system.
Arachidonic acid can promote the synthesis of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in the hypothalamus and stimulate the release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland, which is beneficial to the growth and development of infants. At the same time, arachidonic acid is an important part of the retina and exists in the membrane phospholipids of retinal cells, and retinal photoreceptor cells contain more phospholipids, so arachidonic acid can promote the development of retinal photoreceptor cells in infants.
Arachidonic acid is the immediate precursor of many circulating bioactive substances, eicosanoid derivatives. These bioactive substances have important regulatory effects on lipid and protein metabolism, hemorheology, vascular elasticity, leukocyte function and platelet activation.
ARA is widely distributed in the neutral fat of animals. Due to its special biological properties, arachidonic acid is widely used in food, medicine, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and other industries, and its important application is as an additive in the infant dairy industry. Arachidonic acid has long been recommended to be added to infant formula as a nutritional supplement by international authorities such as the World Health Organization.
Compared with traditional formula food, the new generation of infant formula milk powder supplemented with arachidonic acid has unparalleled advantages in promoting the normal development of infants and young children. Although ARA can be extracted from linoleic acid in the human body, it is synthesized in very small amounts. ARA deficiency may have serious adverse effects on the development of human tissues and organs, especially the development of the brain and nervous system.