HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF FATTY-ACIDS

1. Although dietary trans fatty acids can effect the fatty acid compos ition of tissues, they are not considered to be harmful, provided suff icient essential fatty acids are present in the diet. 2. A reduction i n dietary saturated fatty acids (SFA) and dietary increases in mono- a nd polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids are beneficial in reducing the r isk of coronary heart disease. 3. There is only limited evidence of a beneficial effect on hypertension by reducing either total fat or SFA in the diet. 4. There is a little evidence of a role for dietary fat i n the initiation of cancer bur linoleic acid has been implicated in tu mor promotion and chemical carcinogenesis. 5. Dietary PUFA might be be neficial in the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases such a multip le sclerosis.