ABSTRACT
Introduction ..............................................................................................................84 Biological Aspects of Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids ..................................... 89 Genetic Variants, FADS1, and FADS2 in Estimating Nutritional Requirements of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids ..................................................................... 91 Genetic Variants in Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Metabolism and IQ ...........92 Genetic Variants of the FADS1 and FADS2 Gene Cluster Inuence Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Composition in Both Plasma and Red Cell Membrane Phospholipids During Pregnancy and Lactation ....................................93 Genetic Variants in FADS1 and FADS2 and Coronary Heart Disease Risk and the Metabolic Syndrome ..........................................................................................94 Genetic Variants in the 5-Lipoxygenase and the Role of Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Coronary Heart Disease ....................................................96 Genetic Variants in the 5-Lipoxygenase, Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Breast Cancer .................................................................................96 Genetic Variants of Cyclooxygenase-2 and the Protective Effect of LongChain Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Prostate Cancer .......................................................97 Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................................98 References ................................................................................................................99
A fundamental aspect of the genetic approach to disease is an appreciation of human variation: its nature and extent, origin and maintenance, distribution in families and populations, interactions with environment, especially diet and exercise, and consequences for normal development and homeostasis [1-3]. Some of the earliest studies of human biochemical genetics showed considerable variability within and between populations, which is highly relevant for nutrition [3]. Variation in nutritional requirements and interaction of certain nutrients with genetically determined biochemical and metabolic factors suggest different requirements for individuals [4,5]. This variation (such as sex differences) is inborn and needs to be differentiated from variations caused by the life cycle (growth, pregnancy, and old age). Research is dening the mechanisms by which genes inuence nutrient absorption, metabolism and excretion, taste perception, and degree of satiation and the mechanisms by which nutrients inuence gene expression [6]. Genetic variation and gene-nutrient interactions are also important in drug metabolism and adverse reactions to drugs.
