When it comes to maintaining good bone, cartilage and joint health throughout your life, nutritional factors play a key role. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, also known as PUFA’s, is a term for Omega-3s, which are essential fatty acids. These PUFA’s are considered essential fatty acids because not only are they required by your body to function, but your body cannot produce them on its own so we must obtain them through dietary sources.