Arachidonic acid is an ω-6 unsaturated fatty acid your body requires to function properly. The National Institutes of Health reports that this fatty acid can be made in the body if you consume adequate amounts of linoleic acid in your diet. Though your body requires Arachidonic acid, getting too much of this essential nutrient could be problematic.

Arachidonic acid is essential for your brain, liver, and organs. If you're getting plenty of linoleic acid in your diet, your body can make arachidonic acid. First, linoleic acid, abundant in vegetable oils, is broken down into gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is then converted to arachidonic acid.