Dietary fats and carbohydrates represent some eighty to ninety percent of food energy uptake in man; fatty acids play a critical role in human development, health and disease. In affluent populations high fat consumption contributes to heart disease, obesity and type II diabetes mellitus, while in non-affluent groups, the generally poor nutritional state found in young children can be partially attributed to a low fat intake.This book reviews our current understanding of essential fatty acids and their role in human nutrition. The topics addressed include the analysis of dietary fatty acids, dietary fats and fish oils in health and in the prevention of heart disease, linoleic acid in the treatment of diabetes, and the role of essential fatty acids in early human development.

Abstract: This book reviews the current understanding of essential fatty acids and their role in human nutrition. It is intended to serve as a major textbook and reference source for students, dieticians, specialists in internal medicine, biologists and biochemists in this field. Topics include: dietary lipids and malignant tumour development; factors influencing fatty acid chain elongation and desaturation; the role of fats and EFAs for energy and cell structures in the growth of fetus and neonate; metabolic and nutritional aspects of long-chain fatty acids of marine origin; the significance of fish and fish-oil enriched food for prevention and therapy of ischaemic cardiovascular disease; the role of fat in the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus; and Vitamins E and A.

Diet and Health examines the many complex issues concerning diet and its role in increasing or decreasing the risk of chronic disease. It proposes dietary recommendations for reducing the risk of the major diseases and causes of death today: atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (including heart attack and stroke), cancer, high blood pressure, obesity, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, and dental caries.

Describes the types of fat in the body and in foods, contains assessments of dietary fat intake and lipids, discusses the way in which fats are metabolized in the body and describes their importance in the diet. Contains a chapter on essential fats, provides insights into fat metabolism, and discusses new developments with regard to the role of fats in health and disease.

Functional Dietary Lipids: Food Formulation, Consumer Issues and Innovation for Health discusses this important component of the human diet and the ways it plays an essential functional role in many foods. The book covers the functionality and nutritional benefits of dietary fat in food in terms of formulation, manufacturing, and innovation for health. After an introduction by the editor reviewing the role of fats in the human diet, the book discusses the chemistry of edible fats, manufacturing issues, including the replacement of trans-fatty acids in food, fat reformulation for calorie reduction, thermal stability of fats, and the flavor and functional texture and melting characteristics of fats in food. Subsequent chapters address the effect of dietary lipid intake on various health issues and the potential health benefits of bioactive compounds in dietary lipids, with final sections discussing issues that affect the consumer relationship with fat, such as regulation, marketing, and health claims. - Comprehensively examines the functionality and nutritional benefits of dietary fat in food - Discusses the chemistry of edible fats, manufacturing issues, including the replacement of trans fatty acids in food, fat reformulation for calorie reduction, thermal stability of fats, and more - Considers manufacturing issues of dietary fat in foods - Addresses issues affecting the consumer relationship with fat, such as regulation, marketing, and health claims