Role of some functional lipids in preventing diseases and promoting health

Abstract

Fats and lipids are common components of food and may perform essential roles. Their types may be more important with regard to health and disease than their amount. The objective of this review is to summarize the information on the role of functional lipids on human health. New research has linked functional lipids to the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Functional lipids such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acids, medium chain triglycerides, and phytosterols have many beneficial effects on human health such as in obesity, bone health, and in treating and managing depression, blood pressure, cardiovascular health, etc. The ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids regulates the production of eicosanoids, which are the metabolites of these series of fatty acids. Scientific evidence has shown encouraging improvements in patients and beneficial effects in healthy persons with the use of supplemental and dietary forms of functional lipids.