The major components of the fatty fraction of foods of animal origin are reviewed: saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 and n-6 PUFA), conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLA). The biological and/or pathological actions of each component are synthetically described and the following indications are given: i) SFA should not be higher than 10% of total energy intake; ii) trans MUFA from hydrogenation processing must be avoided because harmful, whereas vaccenic acid (C18:1 t11), which is naturally formed within the rumen and is consequently present in dairy products doesn’t seem to be of harm; iii) n-3 PUFA are preventing factors of either coronary heart disease or some kinds of tumours; iv) n-6 PUFA are modulators of vascular functions and precursors of some isomers of prostaglandins; v) n-6/n-3 ratio must be as close to 1 as possible; vi) CLA exerts several functions essential for preventing disorders of lipid metabolism, of coronary heart disease, of some tumours and of diabetes. It is concluded that the diet of the average Western citizen is quite often unbalanced and must be re-conducted to the recommended allowances, even by means of animal nutrition.
Effects of omega-3 and CLA on nutritional traits of foods of animal origin
MELE, MARCELLO
2001-01-01
Abstract
The major components of the fatty fraction of foods of animal origin are reviewed: saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 and n-6 PUFA), conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLA). The biological and/or pathological actions of each component are synthetically described and the following indications are given: i) SFA should not be higher than 10% of total energy intake; ii) trans MUFA from hydrogenation processing must be avoided because harmful, whereas vaccenic acid (C18:1 t11), which is naturally formed within the rumen and is consequently present in dairy products doesn’t seem to be of harm; iii) n-3 PUFA are preventing factors of either coronary heart disease or some kinds of tumours; iv) n-6 PUFA are modulators of vascular functions and precursors of some isomers of prostaglandins; v) n-6/n-3 ratio must be as close to 1 as possible; vi) CLA exerts several functions essential for preventing disorders of lipid metabolism, of coronary heart disease, of some tumours and of diabetes. It is concluded that the diet of the average Western citizen is quite often unbalanced and must be re-conducted to the recommended allowances, even by means of animal nutrition.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
