Essential Fatty Acids

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to highlight the role of essential fatty acids in diverse biologic processes and metabolic pathways that are relevant to both health and disease, throughout life; to describe the effect of essential fatty acids on pregnancy outcome, growth, and neurological development in infancy and early childhood and to review studies linking essential fatty acids to different chronic diseases in adults. Dietary sources of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, their conversion to other n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, their amount in breast milk, availability in infant nutrition and specific needs of these fatty acids in developing countries, are addressed. Recommended essential fatty acid requirements during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood and in undernourished or less privileged populations are detailed, with an emphasis on nutritional interventions that may impact essential fatty acid status.