Shobha A. Udipi
Dr. Shobha Udipi gave a key note address “Role Of Fats In Nutrition And Disease: Fats And Fatty Acids” at the seminar organized by Protein Foods & Nutrition Development Association of India on 14th Oct. 2016.
AbstractDiet is one of the critical yet modifiable risk factors for health, disease, and disability. Poor diets have been linked to disease and it is estimated that among the top 20 individual causes of disease burden worldwide, eight are are due to poor nutrition, largely because of increased risk of chronic diseases. The role of fats in nutrition is well recognized and the nutritional importance of the polyunsaturated fatty acids are well elucidated. Since the 1970’s saturated fatty acids were considered to be unhealthy and it was recommended that n-6 fatty acids would be heart-healthy. With the vast amount of research on n-3 fatty acids, today the world is leaning towards emphasis on these and more importantly on the ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids. The role of MUFA in health is also important. Besides, examining the role of fatty acids on lipids, insulin resistance etc., recent research indicates that the influence of fatty acids on the gut microbiome and whether they cause dysbiosis may have implications for our risk for non-communicable diseases.