Preface

The first edition of this book volume was published in 1992, and the second edition in 1999 by
Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York. Since then, volumes of new information on the fatty acids in various foods and food products, as well as their biological health effects have become available. In addition to quantity, the type of fatty acids consumed plays an important role in the etiology of a variety of degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, immunity and in> ammatory dis-
ease, renal disease, diabetes, neuromuscular disorders, liver disease, visual dysfunction, psychiatric

disorders, and aging. Understanding the mechanisms by which fatty acids exert their biological

effects is important in unraveling the pathogenesis of these disorders and may help providing effective preventive measures.