Omega-3 Fatty Acids Keys to Nutritional Health and Disease

This book argues for the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in our diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are a must in our daily diet, as the human body cannot synthesize it. The human body is crippled in evolution; we are deprived of the genes that are needed to synthesize these vital molecules. Except for regular fish eaters, the majority of the human population does not get adequate omega-3 fatty acid in their food. Fatty acids provide a structural framework for cells, tissues, and organs, as well as the building blocks for several bioactive ingredients, and they provide a wide range of benefits from general improvements in health to protection against inflammation and disease. Omega-3 Fatty Acids discusses various sources of omega-3 fatty acid, health implications of omega-3 fatty acid intake, and remedial measures that can improve diet for those lacking in fatty acids. The book opens with a discussion of various sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseed, milk, eggs, and marine algae. Following this, is a detailed discussion of the effect omega-3 intake has on different conditions, like pregnancy, psoriasis, aging disorders, cardiovascular events, obesity, and non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s. This much-expanded edition includes new chapters on topics such as the linoleic-to-linolenic dietary intake ratio, the role of omega-3 fatty acids in eye health, the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease, and the influence of omega-3 fatty acids on bone turnover and energy metabolism. An indispensable text designed for nutritionists, dietitians, clinicians and health-related professionals, Omega-3 Fatty Acids presents a comprehensive assessment of the current knowledge about the nutritional effects of omega-3 fatty acids and their delivery in foods.