ABSTRACT
Although the effects of dietary de ciency on risk of infection have long been known and studied, only in the relatively recent past the in uences of dietary fat have been systematically investigated. Thus, the rst review of the literature surfaced as recently as 1978 (Meade and Mertin, 1978) and others quickly followed (Vitale and Broitman, 1981; Beisel, 1982; Gurr, 1983; Johnston, 1985, 1988; Erickson, 1986; Perez and Alexander, 1988; Hwang, 1989; Kinsella et al., 1990). The eld expanded to include examinations of the immune-modulating effects of speci c fatty acids, fat level, cholesterol, plasma lipoproteins, and oxidized fats. Moreover, the role of fat and fat metabolism in the genesis, regulation, and management of various disease states is receiving increased notice. This chapter will review the literature addressing this rapidly expanding eld of research.
