Essential fats for future health
Essential fats for future health
The 9th Unilever Nutrition Symposium entitled ‘Essential fats for future health’, held on 26–27 May 2010, aimed to review the dietary recommendations for essential fatty acids (EFA); discuss the scientific evidence for the roles of EFA in cognition, immune function and cardiovascular health; and to identify opportunities for joint efforts by industry, academia, governmental and non-governmental organizations to effectively improve health behaviour. This paper summarizes the main conclusions of the presentations given at the symposium. Linoleic acid (LA) and ?-linolenic acid (ALA) are EFA that cannot by synthesized by the human body. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is considered as conditionally essential because of its limited formation from ALA in the human body and its critical role in early normal retinal and brain development and, jointly with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Some evidence for possible beneficial roles of n-3 fatty acids for immune function and adult cognitive function is emerging. A higher consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; >10%E), including LA, ALA and at least 250–500?mg per day of EPA+DHA, is recommended for prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). Two dietary interventions suggest that EFA may affect CVD risk factors in children similarly as in adults. To ensure an adequate EFA intake of the population, including children, public health authorities should develop clear messages based on current science; ensure availability of healthy, palatable foods; and collaborate with scientists, the food industry, schools, hospitals, health-care providers and communities to encourage consumers to make healthy choices.
essential fatty acids, cognition, immune function, heart health, public health
S1-S13
Calder, P.C.
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Dangour, A.D.
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Diekman, C.
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Eilander, A.
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Koletzko, B.
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Meijer, G.W.
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Mozaffarian, D.
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Niinikoski, H.
fd8cd457-211d-40fe-a36b-fdcf0c382728
2010
Calder, P.C.
1797e54f-378e-4dcb-80a4-3e30018f07a6
Dangour, A.D.
6f98f048-a452-4f06-8fac-ac2771d6d1b2
Diekman, C.
c28d114b-e0ca-4a6b-8f06-d19402846701
Eilander, A.
8d78d156-c23e-4c54-9225-56c7830ec385
Koletzko, B.
1d600e42-8989-4634-848b-203029211ffc
Meijer, G.W.
c0f97bff-e3df-4ec3-8e0f-946d247e8e89
Mozaffarian, D.
3a299e67-5a5c-473a-8dd9-eb06da8b7a8e
Niinikoski, H.
fd8cd457-211d-40fe-a36b-fdcf0c382728
Calder, P.C., Dangour, A.D., Diekman, C., Eilander, A., Koletzko, B., Meijer, G.W., Mozaffarian, D. and Niinikoski, H.
(2010)
Essential fats for future health.
[in special issue: Proceedings of the 9th Unilever Nutrition Symposium, 26–27 May 2010]
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 64, supplement 4, .
(doi:10.1038/ejcn.2010.242).
Abstract
The 9th Unilever Nutrition Symposium entitled ‘Essential fats for future health’, held on 26–27 May 2010, aimed to review the dietary recommendations for essential fatty acids (EFA); discuss the scientific evidence for the roles of EFA in cognition, immune function and cardiovascular health; and to identify opportunities for joint efforts by industry, academia, governmental and non-governmental organizations to effectively improve health behaviour. This paper summarizes the main conclusions of the presentations given at the symposium. Linoleic acid (LA) and ?-linolenic acid (ALA) are EFA that cannot by synthesized by the human body. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is considered as conditionally essential because of its limited formation from ALA in the human body and its critical role in early normal retinal and brain development and, jointly with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Some evidence for possible beneficial roles of n-3 fatty acids for immune function and adult cognitive function is emerging. A higher consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; >10%E), including LA, ALA and at least 250–500?mg per day of EPA+DHA, is recommended for prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). Two dietary interventions suggest that EFA may affect CVD risk factors in children similarly as in adults. To ensure an adequate EFA intake of the population, including children, public health authorities should develop clear messages based on current science; ensure availability of healthy, palatable foods; and collaborate with scientists, the food industry, schools, hospitals, health-care providers and communities to encourage consumers to make healthy choices.
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Published date: 2010
Keywords:
essential fatty acids, cognition, immune function, heart health, public health
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Local EPrints ID: 190975
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/190975
ISSN: 0954-3007
PURE UUID: ad04ffa0-e433-4324-855a-d2164aaa41ce
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Date deposited: 16 Jun 2011 08:52
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:50
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Author:
A.D. Dangour
Author:
C. Diekman
Author:
A. Eilander
Author:
B. Koletzko
Author:
G.W. Meijer
Author:
D. Mozaffarian
Author:
H. Niinikoski
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