Fatty acids, inflammation and immunity.

Abstract

This chapter describes the nature of fatty acids available in the human diet, the influence of different types of fatty acids on inflammation and immune function, the mechanisms by which fatty acids might exert their effects and the potential applications of those effects. The role of fatty acids in the prevention or treatment of chronic inflammatory (autoimmune) diseases, asthma and related diseases, endotoxaemia, sepsis, trauma and neoplasms is discussed.