The fats of life

the long version

This work highlights the importance of essential fatty acids, with a focus on distinctions between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid variants. The chemical and biochemical characteristics of these fatty acids and their metabolism into a vast array of potent bioactive messengers are described in the context of their potential effects on general health and impact on various diseases and neurological disorders. The author addresses in detail the capacity for polyunsaturated fatty acids to influence asthma, atherosclerosis, heart disease, inflammation, cancer, and immunity. He makes clear that our understanding of the biochemical and physiological effects of dietary fats has advanced tremendously as a result of careful research, but he also stresses that this knowledge has not been easily translated into sound dietary recommendations. --Book Jacket.