Lipid nutrition and healthy aging

Bioactive food factors are considered to be critical for health promotion and play an important role in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. Metabolic syndrome, a typical common disease, is a cluster of metabolic disorders, such as abdominal obesity, the combination of hypertriglyceridemia and lower level of HDL, hypertension and diabetes mellitus, that contribute to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In addition, the incidence of metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely linked with the increase in inflammation and the disorders of lipid metabolism. The pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and related diseases is complicated. However, food factors have been recognized as contributing factors in the development and prevention of these diseases. Provocative evidence profoundly supports the preventive role of dietary bioactive lipids, polyphenols and other food ingredients. Recent studies suggest the central role of nuclear transcription factors in the pathogenesis of obesity and NAFLD. The goal of the present symposium is to enhance our understanding of cellular and molecular effects of bioactive food factors against obesity related pathogenesis.