non-esterified fatty acids

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non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) Free fatty acids in the blood, as opposed to triacylglycerols, which are esterified fatty acids; about 10% of the total blood fatty acids, usually 0.5–2.0 mmol/L. The plasma concentration increases in fasting as fatty acids are released from adipose tissue as a metabolic fuel. Also known as unesterified fatty acids (UFA) or free fatty acids (FFA).