414
body helps to deny the misconceptions about dietary fats and creates new opportunities for the development of lipid-enhanced functional foods, nutraceuticals, and
dietary supplements. The lipids such as omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid
(ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), omega-6 fatty
acids (gamma linoleic acid (GLA), and linoleic acid (LA)), conjugated linoleic acid
(CLA), medium chain triglyceride oils, and phytosterols (mainly b-sitosterol,
campesterol and stigmasterol) are considered as functional lipids due to their beneficial effects on human health. Additionally, the fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamin A,
D, E, K) essential oils, lipophilic nutraceuticals like polyphenols, flavonoids are
lipid-based components that impart essential health benefits on humans can also be
considered. Functional lipids have many beneficial effects on human health such as
treating obesity, bone health and managing depression, blood pressure, cardiovascular health, cancer etc. (Alabdulkarim et al. 2012). Many types of research have
linked functional lipids to the prevention and treatment of many diseases.
The ALA and LA are considered “essential fatty acids” (EFAs) need to be
included in the diet. ALA acts as precursors for the synthesis of more highly unsaturated and longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA. EPA and DHA
are found mainly in fatty fishes such as mackerel, salmon, herring, trout, blue fin
tuna and in fish-oils. Principal sources of ALA are mainly flaxseed, soybeans,
canola, some nuts (e.g. walnuts) and red/black currant seeds (Institute of Medicine
2002). LA occurs mainly in vegetable oils e.g. corn, safflower, soya bean, and sunflower. ARA is found in animal products such as meat, poultry, and eggs.
Phytosterols (plant sterols) are common plant and vegetable constituents, part of
the human diet and are biologically active (Pirronen et al. 2000). They are structurally related to cholesterol but differ from cholesterol in the structure of the side
chain. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (which include the omega-3 and
omega-6 fatty acids) and phytochemicals also play an important role as healthy
dietary bioactive compounds. The objective of this chapter is to review and summarize the research evidence on the nutraceutical properties of functional lipids.
The major nutraceutical benefits of lipids highlighted in the chapter are prevention
of cancer, hypoglycemic effects, and reduction of bile stone formation, mineral
absorption, hypocholesterolemic effects and other properties.
Prevention of Cancer
Generally, Nutraceuticals, have chemopreventive activities, as reported by many
epidemiological and animal model studies. Their ability to reduce cancer incidence
in these studies is likely related to apoptosis. The potential of using nutraceuticals
as chemopreventive reagents has been proved through in vitro and in vivo studies.
Essential fatty acids (EFA) may play an important role in inhibiting the prostate
cancer cell proliferation. Pandalai et al. (1996) demonstrated the effects of omega-6
and omega-3 fatty acids in prostate cancer cell lines. They investigated the effects of
dietary fats on nontumorigenic prostate cell growth through in vitro studies with
G. J. Swamy et al.
body helps to deny the misconceptions about dietary fats and creates new opportunities for the development of lipid-enhanced functional foods, nutraceuticals, and
dietary supplements. The lipids such as omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid
(ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), omega-6 fatty
acids (gamma linoleic acid (GLA), and linoleic acid (LA)), conjugated linoleic acid
(CLA), medium chain triglyceride oils, and phytosterols (mainly b-sitosterol,
campesterol and stigmasterol) are considered as functional lipids due to their beneficial effects on human health. Additionally, the fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamin A,
D, E, K) essential oils, lipophilic nutraceuticals like polyphenols, flavonoids are
lipid-based components that impart essential health benefits on humans can also be
considered. Functional lipids have many beneficial effects on human health such as
treating obesity, bone health and managing depression, blood pressure, cardiovascular health, cancer etc. (Alabdulkarim et al. 2012). Many types of research have
linked functional lipids to the prevention and treatment of many diseases.
The ALA and LA are considered “essential fatty acids” (EFAs) need to be
included in the diet. ALA acts as precursors for the synthesis of more highly unsaturated and longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA. EPA and DHA
are found mainly in fatty fishes such as mackerel, salmon, herring, trout, blue fin
tuna and in fish-oils. Principal sources of ALA are mainly flaxseed, soybeans,
canola, some nuts (e.g. walnuts) and red/black currant seeds (Institute of Medicine
2002). LA occurs mainly in vegetable oils e.g. corn, safflower, soya bean, and sunflower. ARA is found in animal products such as meat, poultry, and eggs.
Phytosterols (plant sterols) are common plant and vegetable constituents, part of
the human diet and are biologically active (Pirronen et al. 2000). They are structurally related to cholesterol but differ from cholesterol in the structure of the side
chain. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (which include the omega-3 and
omega-6 fatty acids) and phytochemicals also play an important role as healthy
dietary bioactive compounds. The objective of this chapter is to review and summarize the research evidence on the nutraceutical properties of functional lipids.
The major nutraceutical benefits of lipids highlighted in the chapter are prevention
of cancer, hypoglycemic effects, and reduction of bile stone formation, mineral
absorption, hypocholesterolemic effects and other properties.
Prevention of Cancer
Generally, Nutraceuticals, have chemopreventive activities, as reported by many
epidemiological and animal model studies. Their ability to reduce cancer incidence
in these studies is likely related to apoptosis. The potential of using nutraceuticals
as chemopreventive reagents has been proved through in vitro and in vivo studies.
Essential fatty acids (EFA) may play an important role in inhibiting the prostate
cancer cell proliferation. Pandalai et al. (1996) demonstrated the effects of omega-6
and omega-3 fatty acids in prostate cancer cell lines. They investigated the effects of
dietary fats on nontumorigenic prostate cell growth through in vitro studies with
G. J. Swamy et al.