In the past few decades, the disease spectrum of the population has significantly changed. Chronic diseases have become the leading cause of death globally. While it is clear that major changes have also taken place in our diet. Previous studies have shown that many chronic conditions—cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, cancer, autoimmune or allergic diseases, and depression—are associated with polyunsaturated fatty acids. Besides the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, their pattern is also important for health. For example, the ratio of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is the key index for the balanced synthesis of eicosanoids in humans. One challenge is to identify the optimal pattern of polyunsaturated fatty acids that maximally benefits chronic diseases prevention. As the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids has been reported to be different in various ethnic groups, and genetic susceptibility plays an important role in chronic diseases, it is necessary to carry out relevant studies in different populations.
The goal of this Research Topic is to present the latest population-based evidence on polyunsaturated fatty acids and chronic diseases in different groups. We are particularly interested in Original Research and Review articles that focus on but are not limited to the following topics:
• The effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids pattern on chronic diseases.
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and their predictors, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.
• The effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on immune development and allergic diseases, especially in early life and childhood.
• N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and neuropsychological function.
• Genetic variation in polyunsaturated fatty acids metabolism.
In the past few decades, the disease spectrum of the population has significantly changed. Chronic diseases have become the leading cause of death globally. While it is clear that major changes have also taken place in our diet. Previous studies have shown that many chronic conditions—cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, cancer, autoimmune or allergic diseases, and depression—are associated with polyunsaturated fatty acids. Besides the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, their pattern is also important for health. For example, the ratio of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is the key index for the balanced synthesis of eicosanoids in humans. One challenge is to identify the optimal pattern of polyunsaturated fatty acids that maximally benefits chronic diseases prevention. As the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids has been reported to be different in various ethnic groups, and genetic susceptibility plays an important role in chronic diseases, it is necessary to carry out relevant studies in different populations.
The goal of this Research Topic is to present the latest population-based evidence on polyunsaturated fatty acids and chronic diseases in different groups. We are particularly interested in Original Research and Review articles that focus on but are not limited to the following topics:
• The effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids pattern on chronic diseases.
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and their predictors, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.
• The effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on immune development and allergic diseases, especially in early life and childhood.
• N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and neuropsychological function.
• Genetic variation in polyunsaturated fatty acids metabolism.
