Polyunsaturated fatty acids, Part 1: Occurrence, biological activities and applications.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids form a unique class of food constituents that show a wide range of functions in biological systems. Investigations over the past two decades have uncovered their roles and those of their eicosanoid metabolites, and have highlighted their homeostatic functions in mammals. A growing number of common human medical conditions are thought to be traceable to dysfunctions in the eicosanoid system, which could in turn be due to imbalances in the intake and/or metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids. This, together with medical advances, has spurred the introduction of biomedical products, nutritionals, fortified foods and health supplements.