Handbook Of Essential Fatty Acid Biology

Internationally eminent scientists illuminate the most important scientific aspects of essential fatty acids (EFAs)-from their biochemistry to their physiological consequences in both health and illness. The distinguished contributors integrate a wide range of topics, including the basic biochemistry of EFAs and lipid metabolism, the role of EFAs in the neuronal membrane, the effects of EFAs and lipids in various diseases, and the effects of normal levels and EFA deficiencies on cognition and behavior. The book's consolidation of our knowledge of the biology and metabolism of the EFAs lays the groundwork for dramatic advances in our understanding of these ubiquitous biochemicals and their role in health and illness.

Essential fatty acids are fatty acids that humans must ingest because the body requires them for good health, but it cannot synthesize itself. Therefore, such nutrients need to be supplied from either diet or dietary supplements. Recent studies raised scientific and medical interest in the beneficial effects of these fatty acids on brain and retina function, as well as reducing ill health effects, such as cardio-metabolic diseases. Thus, there is an interest in developing requirements and dietary recommendations. Essential Fatty Acids: Sources, Processing Effects, and Health Benefits provides a systematic introduction and comprehensive information about the essentiality of diets rich in omega fatty acids for successful human growth, development and disease prevention. This book presents detailed knowledge about essential fatty acids, their different food sources, biochemistry, and metabolism. It provides a comprehensive assessment of current knowledge about the effects of various processing and storage conditions on essential fatty acids, their bioavailability and supplementation in foods and diet. Chapters highlight the contribution of essential fatty acids in prevention and improvement of various conditions such as heart problems, arthritis, cancer, brain and bone health, especially in developing fetuses and children. Key Features: Presents comprehensive information on nutritional and health aspects of fats and essential fatty acids Contains a wealth of information on the structure, sources, biochemistry and nutritional properties of essential fatty acids Provides the latest information about the changes in essential fatty acids during various processing and storage conditions Highlights the bioavailability, supplementation and dietary requirements of these fatty acids By bringing together diverse areas of biochemistry, storage, as well as processing behavior and dietary requirements, this book lays the groundwork for striking expansion in our understanding of these important biochemicals and their role in health and disease prevention. Essential Fatty Acids will be of interest to a large and varied audience of researchers in academia, industry, nutrition, dietetics, food science, agriculture, and regulators.

On June 24-26, 1985, a major International Conference on the Hea1th Effects of P01yunsaturated Fatty Acids in Seafoods was held in Washington, D. C. The conference had two objectives: (1) to review the research data on the health effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids in seafoods in terms of the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on eicosanoid formation, thrombosis and inflammation, and the role of docosahexaenoic acid in membrane function and metabolism, and (2) to develop a research agenda to determine the spectrum of the health effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids of seafood origin in the American diet. The 1985 conference established the fact that omega-3 fatty acids of marine origin - eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) - play important roles in prostaglandin metabolism, thrombosis and atherosc1erosis, immunology and inflammation, and membrane function. In response to the conference recommendations, the Congress of the United States provided special funding for the establishment of a "test materials 1aboratory" within the US Department of Commerce to produce under documented quality contr01 the types and quanti ties of omega-3 te~3t materials required by biomedica1 researchers. The forms of test materials to be produced include refined fish oil, polyunsaturated fatty acid enhanced triglycerides, concentrates of esters of fatty acids, purified omega-3 fatty acids, and omega-3 mono-, di- and tri~lyceride mixtures.

This book has a pedigree. It has developed from earlier publications by the author and from his experience over 50 years in reading, writing, thinking, and working with lipids and fatty acids. The earlier publications are: (i) An Introduction to the Chemistry of Fats and Fatty Acids, Chapman and Hall, 1958. (ii) An Introduction to the Chemistry and Biochemistry of Fatty Acids and their Glycerides, Chapman and Hall, 1967. (iii) Lipids in Foods: Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Technology (with F. A. Norris), Pergamon Press, 1983. (iv) The Lipid Handbook (with J. L. Harwood and F. B. Padley), Chapman and Hall, first edition 1986, second edition 1994. (v) A Lipid Glossary (with B. G. Herslof), The Oily Press, Dundee, 1992. (vi) Lecture notes for a course on Fatty Acids and Lipids designed for those entering the oil and fat industry and given on over 20 occasions since 1977. The book is dedicated to the next generation of lipid scientists. The study of lipids now involves many disciplines, all of which require a basic knowledge of the chemical nature and properties of these molecules, which is what this book is about. It is written particularly for those who, with some knowledge of chemistry or biochemistry, need to know more about the nature of lipids and fatty acids.

The purpose of this book is to concentrate on recent developments on fatty acids. The articles collected in this book are contributions by invited researchers with a long-standing experience in different research areas. We hope that the material presented here is understandable to a broad audience, not only scientists but also people with general background in many different biological sciences. This volume offers you up-to-date, expert reviews of the fast-moving field of fatty acids. The book is divided into four major sections: (1) Fatty Acids in Physiopathology, (2) Fatty Acids and Cancer, (3) Fatty Acids in Aquatic Organisms, and (4) Fatty Acids in Veterinary and Dairy Products.