Considering the significant variations on milk fat content and composition due to changes on diet, this review's purpose was to evaluate the milk fatty acids profile, the physiological mechanisms that could lead to changes in this profile and its influence on human health. In order to review scientific articles published in recent years, from authors that, through animals' diet modifications, attempted to manipulate the milk fatty acids profile.
Overall Composition of Milk Fatty AcidsThe milk fat is composed by 98% of triglycerides, 1% phospholipids and 0.5% of sterols, which around 70% are saturated fatty acids (SFA) and the proportion of polyunsaturated (PUFA) and C18:2 and C18:3 range from 3% to 1% in relation to the amount of total lipids [6]. Data that agree with the nutritional composition of fluid milk, according to the Table 1. The milk composition in general follow this pattern, nonetheless, it's necessary ramify this quantity in the main fatty acids (Table 2). The SFA present in higher quantity on milk is the palmitic (C16:0), which represents round 40% of the total SFA. Related to the amount of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and PUFA, the oleic (C18:1) and the linoleic (C18:2) acids are the most representatives. In this