'Friendly' fats under the spotlight

Leading obesity research centre the Rowett Institute is to begin a trial to assess the health benefits of the fats found in fish and dairy products.

There is increasing interest in fish oils, becoming well-known for their high omega-3 content, but also in dairy fats such as CLA. The scientists are hoping to help evolve the current thinking that links dairy products to fat and obesity.

The trial at the Aberdeen-based centre in Scotland will include 60 men, who are not smokers.

"These so-called 'friendly' fats have been linked to helping promote weight loss and preventheart disease, but the mechanisms of these actions are not clear," said Dr Lynda Williams,who is leading the study at the Rowett Institute.

"In this study, our volunteers will be given supplements of naturally occurring dairy and fishoils as capsules. We will assess their cardiovascular fitness and also look at their bodycomposition. We are also interested in how their bodies deal with fat, and so we will be askingthem to eat a high-fat breakfast, although it's unlikely to be a traditional fry-up!" she added.