The Role of fats in human nutrition

Diabetes, atherosclerosis, arterial thrombosis and obesity are common health problems in modern western society, and although they are normally associated with certain aspects of diet, their precise aetiology has hitherto been uncertain. In this book, Dr. Vergroesen and his colleagues discuss the pathological effects of fats in relation to these diseases, they analyse the process of fat absorption and consider the role different fatty acids may play in the prevention and cure of atherosclerosis and diabetes.
The authors consider the possibilities of preventing any harmful effects produced by certain fats, particularly rapeseed oil which is used extensively for domestic consumption. There is a lengthy discussion on the importance of vitamin E in its capacity as a natural antioxidant. It is claimed that an increase in consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids will lower the tendency of blood platelets to adhesion and aggregation, so decreasing the risk of arterial thrombus formation.
In editing this book, Dr. Vergroesen has not limited the contributions to a single viewpoint, and the diverse interpretations of some of the subjects provide a fascinating and stimulating approach to these major problems. The book will be particularly interesting for physicians concerned with internal medicine, gastroenterology, paediatrics or cardiology, for pathologists researching into the prevention of atherosclerosis and diabetes, and for dieticians and nutritionists. It will also be an important and valuable work for the attention of food and agricultural technologists and for workers in the oil and margarine industries.