Beyond Omega-3s: 14 Rare Fats Your Brain and Joints Desperately Need

Lisette Marie

13. Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and related lipid mediators

Photo Credit: Getty Images @Yarnit

Oleoylethanolamide is an endogenously produced lipid mediator derived from oleic acid. It affects appetite regulation, inflammation, and cellular homeostasis through signaling pathways. While OEA itself is formed in the body rather than consumed directly in large amounts, dietary patterns rich in oleic acid—like those featuring extra-virgin olive oil—can influence the pools of precursors available for beneficial signaling.

14. Alkylglycerols and plasmalogen precursors

Photo Credit: Getty Images @Yarnit

Alkylglycerols are lipid precursors that support the body’s synthesis of plasmalogens and other ether lipids. They are present in certain marine oils and in small amounts in specific animal tissues. Because plasmalogens are concentrated in neural tissue and myelin, providing the body with appropriate precursors can be part of a strategy to support membrane health, particularly during aging.

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13. Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and related lipid mediators

14. Alkylglycerols and plasmalogen precursors

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