title: Polyunsaturated fatty acids and cardiovascular health.
abstract: Epidemiologic studies have shown a beneficial association between polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), specifically linoleic acid (C18:2, n-6), intake and cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Clinical studies have shown that n-6 PUFAs have the most potent cholesterol-lowering effects of the individual fatty acid classes, and emerging evidence suggests that PUFAs have favorable effects on postprandial lipemia. However, some studies suggest that high intakes of linoleic acid may have adverse effects on proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules. Research is needed to establish the optimal level of dietary PUFAs that maximally affects the greatest number of health risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, 126 South Henderson Building, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. pmk3@psu.edu
authors.forename: Penny M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kris-Etherton
authors.forename: Kari D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Hecker
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Binkoski
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D002784:Cholesterol; D019787:Linoleic Acid