The benefits and pathologies from excesses and deficiencies of dietary fatty acids

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Abstract
Dietary tatty acids affect metabolism and health in many ways. Most fatty acids are not essential. ie, the body can make them from simple precursors. Nevertheless, many of these, when present in the diet, can adversely affect serum lipid levels and potentially increase the risk for atherosclerosis The saturated fatty acids lauric, myristic, and palmitic acids are rases in point as well as trans monounsaturated fatty acids. Other fatty acids are dietary essentials. Among these are the ω6 fatty acid linoleic acid and the ω3 fatty acid linolenic acid. Long-chain metabolites of both of these fatty acids play major roles in metabolism. Whereas ω6 fatty acid deficiency has been recognized for years, ω3 fatty acid deficiency, with its more subtle signs, is just now being appreciated. Deficiencies in both of these classes do not occur in children or adults eating “normal” diets, but have been detected in the more unusual setting of premature birth and enterally or parenterally fed patients. Finally, dietary supplementation of adults with 2 to 4 g of marine ω3 fatty acids per day may beneficially affect many chronic diseases, especially coronary heart disease The impact of ω3 fatty acids on human gestation is just beginning to be explored.

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