Fatty acid supplementation and skin disease |
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| Authors: | K L Campbell |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana. |
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| Abstract: | The importance of dietary fatty acids to the health of the skin was recognized more than 60 years ago. Fatty acids are important in providing membrane fluidity and maintaining the cutaneous water permeability barrier. Fatty acids function as precursors of eicosanoids. Eicosanoids, which include prostaglandins and leukotrienes, influence cellular interactions, cellular proliferation, and inflammation. Certain diseases, such as atopy and hypothyroidism, are characterized by abnormalities in fatty acid metabolism. Dietary manipulations may be useful in the treatment of diseases mediated by eicosanoids. |
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