Dietary Fats as Mediators of Obesity, Inflammation, and Colon Cancer

Obesity and associated low-grade inflammation are clearly risk factors for development of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer; however, the mechanisms and pathways by which obesity and inflammation lead to these disorders are not clearly defined. Since obesity is largely determined by levels of energy expenditure as well as quantities and composition of consumed nutrients, especially fats and carbohydrates, the question exists as to whether obesity and/or dietary components contribute directly to development of inflammation and/or associated comorbidities including diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. In this chapter, we examine the evidence supporting a role for dietary fats in the development of inflammation and intestinal tumorigenesis. We also compare different fats and different diets for their ability to promote or prevent intestinal tumorigenesis and explore possible mechanisms of action. These considerations are important for the potential prevention and control of intestinal cancer, since overall diet and specific dietary components are modifiable risk factors and increasing numbers of dietary and pharmacologic interventions are becoming available to control both inflammatory and carcinogenic processes.