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Updated: Oct 8, 2025

Dietary Supplementation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: November 29, 2013
Risk factors and assessment considerations for essential fatty acid deficiency in nonparenterally fed patients using
Holly Estes-Doetsch1,2, Heidi Ganzer3, Kristen Roberts1,2
1Medical Dietetics Division, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Abstract:
Essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) has most commonly been reported in parenterally fed individuals but may also present in patients receiving fat-restricted diets and in patients with fat-malabsorption disorders. This article reviews the physical and biochemical assessment for EFAD in clinical practice and disorders of fat malabsorption as potential risk factors for EFAD. A case report is included to describe the fatty acid profile of a patient with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency receiving low-dose pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy after a self-imposed fat-restricted diet. The current challenges with laboratory interpretation of essential fatty acid status are also discussed.
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