Fatty acids (short-medium-long chain, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, trans) are major components of triglycerides and other complex lipids. Fatty acids are obtained from diet or synthesized in the body, exist in the bloodstream of humans, and are present as cell components of phospholipids. A large body of evidence relates distinct fatty acids exists to the regulation of cellular and molecular functions and their effects on human health. These activities range from regulation of intracellular signalling, gene expression, modulation of inflammation, insulin resistance, ketogenesis, and regulation and production of bioactive lipids, which influence disease risk. Clinically, fatty acids have also been tested as therapeutic interventions in various metabolic and neurological diseases. Initially, the role of fatty acids was extensively examined in the area of cardiovascular disease. Still, the current evidence indicates the potential role of fatty acids in both disease risk and as a treatment option in diseases such as type 2 diabetes, inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.
Contrary to the abundant scientific evidence on fatty acids, there is a discrepancy in observations linking fatty acids to disease, e.g. regarding saturated fatty acids and heart health. There are also inconsistencies between the results of different clinical trials, e.g., effects of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids on metabolic health; medium-chain fatty acids for ketogenesis and its application in dementia; role of short chain fatty acids in human health. Duration of intervention, the dose of fatty acids, duration of longitudinal follow-up, and sex-based differential effects of fatty acids contributed to these discrepancies.
This Research Topic will cover the latest evidence on cohort-based, mechanistic, pre-clinical, and clinical evidence on the role of fatty acids in human health, either as a biomarker of disease status and potential as a therapeutic intervention, particularly for cardio-metabolic and neurodegenerative disease.
We welcome original research articles covering pre-clinical and clinical evidence on physiological effects of fatty acids, and review articles (narrative reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analysis) covering latest evidence, mechanism and relationship with risk of cardio-metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders.
Fatty acids (short-medium-long chain, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, trans) are major components of triglycerides and other complex lipids. Fatty acids are obtained from diet or synthesized in the body, exist in the bloodstream of humans, and are present as cell components of phospholipids. A large body of evidence relates distinct fatty acids exists to the regulation of cellular and molecular functions and their effects on human health. These activities range from regulation of intracellular signalling, gene expression, modulation of inflammation, insulin resistance, ketogenesis, and regulation and production of bioactive lipids, which influence disease risk. Clinically, fatty acids have also been tested as therapeutic interventions in various metabolic and neurological diseases. Initially, the role of fatty acids was extensively examined in the area of cardiovascular disease. Still, the current evidence indicates the potential role of fatty acids in both disease risk and as a treatment option in diseases such as type 2 diabetes, inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.
Contrary to the abundant scientific evidence on fatty acids, there is a discrepancy in observations linking fatty acids to disease, e.g. regarding saturated fatty acids and heart health. There are also inconsistencies between the results of different clinical trials, e.g., effects of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids on metabolic health; medium-chain fatty acids for ketogenesis and its application in dementia; role of short chain fatty acids in human health. Duration of intervention, the dose of fatty acids, duration of longitudinal follow-up, and sex-based differential effects of fatty acids contributed to these discrepancies.
This Research Topic will cover the latest evidence on cohort-based, mechanistic, pre-clinical, and clinical evidence on the role of fatty acids in human health, either as a biomarker of disease status and potential as a therapeutic intervention, particularly for cardio-metabolic and neurodegenerative disease.
We welcome original research articles covering pre-clinical and clinical evidence on physiological effects of fatty acids, and review articles (narrative reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analysis) covering latest evidence, mechanism and relationship with risk of cardio-metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders.