Until the past few decades, lipids contained in plants and animals from the marine and freshwater bodies of the world have not been considered important to human nutrition. Today, with the findings that highly unsaturated omega‐3 (n‐3) fatty acids in marine lipids can be important in preventing or reducing certain premature heart diseases, inflammatory disorders, and many other health problems, there is an increasingly active interest in seafood and its component oils. A review of the role of lipids in human nutrition must also include consideration of the source of marine lipids and how the fishing industry can, and does, get high‐quality oils to the consumer. There are many practical considerations involved in the harvesting or growing of seafood, processing the products, and handling and distributing to market that must be considered in the overall program of getting prople to consume more n‐3 fatty acids. Except in regard to those persons requiring medical attention and needing large doses of n‐3s, marine lipids should only be considered in the highly nutritious food category. This includes, high‐quality seafood, food supplement oil and capsules, and prepared foods contining component fish oil.
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