Institute of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010 Dec;64 Suppl 4:S1-13. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.242.
The 9th Unilever Nutrition Symposium entitled 'Essential fats for future health', held on 26-27 May 2010, aimed to review the dietary recommendations for essential fatty acids (EFA); discuss the scientific evidence for the roles of EFA in cognition, immune function and cardiovascular health; and to identify opportunities for joint efforts by industry, academia, governmental and non-governmental organizations to effectively improve health behaviour. This paper summarizes the main conclusions of the presentations given at the symposium. Linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) are EFA that cannot by synthesized by the human body. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is considered as conditionally essential because of its limited formation from ALA in the human body and its critical role in early normal retinal and brain development and, jointly with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Some evidence for possible beneficial roles of n-3 fatty acids for immune function and adult cognitive function is emerging. A higher consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; >10%E), including LA, ALA and at least 250-500 mg per day of EPA+DHA, is recommended for prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). Two dietary interventions suggest that EFA may affect CVD risk factors in children similarly as in adults. To ensure an adequate EFA intake of the population, including children, public health authorities should develop clear messages based on current science; ensure availability of healthy, palatable foods; and collaborate with scientists, the food industry, schools, hospitals, health-care providers and communities to encourage consumers to make healthy choices.
第九届联合利华营养研讨会题为“未来健康的必需脂肪酸”，于 2010 年 5 月 26 日至 27 日举行，旨在审查必需脂肪酸（EFA）的饮食建议；讨论 EFA 在认知、免疫功能和心血管健康中的作用的科学证据；并确定行业、学术界、政府和非政府组织共同努力有效改善健康行为的机会。本文总结了研讨会报告的主要结论。亚油酸（LA）和α-亚麻酸（ALA）是人体无法合成的必需脂肪酸。二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）被认为是条件必需的，因为它在人体中从 ALA 形成有限，并且在早期正常视网膜和大脑发育以及与二十碳五烯酸（EPA）一起预防心血管疾病（CVD）中具有关键作用。一些证据表明 n-3 脂肪酸可能对免疫功能和成人认知功能有有益作用。建议多不饱和脂肪酸（PUFA；>10%E）的消耗较高，包括 LA、ALA 和每天至少 250-500 毫克的 EPA+DHA，以预防冠心病（CHD）。两项饮食干预研究表明，EFA 可能会对儿童的 CVD 危险因素产生与成人相似的影响。为确保包括儿童在内的人群摄入足够的 EFA，公共卫生当局应根据当前科学制定明确的信息；确保提供健康、美味的食品；并与科学家、食品行业、学校、医院、医疗保健提供者和社区合作，鼓励消费者做出健康选择。
