Short description:

This book provides information about the essentiality of fat in human diet, containing information on essential fatty acids, their food sources, mechanism, metabolism and health benefits. Also discussed is the effect of different food processes on dietary fatty acids. The information helps in product formulation that incorporates healthy fats.

Long description:

Essential fatty acids are fatty acids that humans must ingest because the body requires them for good health, but it cannot synthesize itself. Therefore, such nutrients need to be supplied from either diet or dietary supplements. Recent studies raised scientific and medical interest in the beneficial effects of these fatty acids on brain and retina function, as well as reducing ill health effects, such as cardio-metabolic diseases. Thus, there is an interest in developing requirements and dietary recommendations.

Essential Fatty Acids: Sources, Processing Effects, and Health Benefits provides a systematic introduction and comprehensive information about the essentiality of diets rich in omega fatty acids for successful human growth, development and disease prevention. This book presents detailed knowledge about essential fatty acids, their different food sources, biochemistry, and metabolism. It provides a comprehensive assessment of current knowledge about the effects of various processing and storage conditions on essential fatty acids, their bioavailability and supplementation in foods and diet. Chapters highlight the contribution of essential fatty acids in prevention and improvement of various conditions such as heart problems, arthritis, cancer, brain and bone health, especially in developing fetuses and children.

• Presents comprehensive information on nutritional and health aspects of fats and essential fatty acids








• Contains a wealth of information on the structure, sources, biochemistry and nutritional properties of essential fatty acids








• Provides the latest information about the changes in essential fatty acids during various processing and storage conditions








• Highlights the bioavailability, supplementation and dietary requirements of these fatty acids

By bringing together diverse areas of biochemistry, storage, as well as processing behavior and dietary requirements, this book lays the groundwork for striking expansion in our understanding of these important biochemicals and their role in health and disease prevention. Essential Fatty Acids will be of interest to a large and varied audience of researchers in academia, industry, nutrition, dietetics, food science, agriculture, and regulators.

"This book is a good overview of EFA and a possible useful reference for researchers interested in studying fats."

-Amy Hess Fischl, MS RDN LDN BC-ADM CDCES, DOODY'S NOTES

Table of Contents:

Essential fatty acids: Introduction. Sources: Plants, Animals and Microbial. Structural chemistry of essential fatty acids. Properties: Physical, Chemical and Functional. Mechanism of action of essential fatty acids. Effect of thermal and non-thermal processing on EFA. Effect of storage on Essential Fatty Acids. Essential fatty acid bioavailability: a dietary perspective. Enrichment of Essential Fatty Acids in Foods. Dietary intake and recommendations for EFA.  Essential Fatty Acids and their Health Benefits. Dietary Fatty acids: A key requirement for healthy life in special reference with its Future perspective.