What are the health effects of unsaturated fatty acids?

The conference marks the launch of a new British Nutrition Foundation publication ‘The Health Effects of Dietary Unsaturated Fatty Acids’.

It is becoming increasingly clear that unsaturated fatty acids have important health effects, and new research in this area is attracting a huge amount of public interest.

The beneficial effects of unsaturated fats on blood lipids and the impact of omega-3 polyunsaturated fats in fish oils on prevention of cardiovascular deaths are already well known.

But new research highlights further potential benefits of unsaturated fats on cognitive function and behaviour, inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, Crohn’s disease and asthma, and the importance of adequate intakes of omega-3 fats during pregnancy and breastfeeding to ensure normal growth, development and cognitive function of the baby.

By bringing together health professionals, nutritionists who work in the food industry, researchers and students, the conference offers an excellent opportunity to explore the public health implications of the health effects of unsaturated fatty acids and also possibilities for dietary reformulation.