President Chen Shui-bian (
"I have always said that Taiwan should stand up, step out to the world and let the world walk into Taiwan. This congress being held today in Taiwan is a perfect example for the world to come to Taiwan," Chen said yesterday at the opening ceremony.
PHOTO: CHU PEI-HSIUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
The ICEFAE convenes every five years. It has been held once in the US, twice in the the UK, and once in Australia.
"This demonstrates that Taiwan has shown excellent ability in bio-medicine in the international arena," Chen said.
Jointly organized by the Society of Lipids and Atherosclerosis, the Cardiovascular Research Center of National Yang Ming University, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, the department of biochemistry of National Taiwan University, the three-day ICEFAE features four plenary lectures, 27 scientific sessions in which specialists will present papers outlining their research findings and five symposia.
During the congress, nearly 500 experts from Taiwan and some 200 medical professionals from 26 nations will gather at the Taipei International Convention Center to discuss topics from basic biological research and biotechnology on essential fatty acids to nutrition and clinical application.
Essential fatty acids (EFA) are vital nutrients like vitamins and minerals. They are the main components of cell membranes.
They also produce beneficial hormone-like compounds called eicosanoids. EFAs are polyunsaturated fats, which are better for human health than saturated fats.
"People should understand that not all fats are bad. EPAs not only contribute to the healthy function of cell membranes, but also serve as the precursor of many prostagldins [which contribute to the control of blood pressure and the smoothing of muscle contractions] and leukotriene [an eicosanoid involved in allergic responses]," said Lin Shing-jong (林幸榮), director of the Institutes of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming University, at a press conference held after the opening ceremony.
Lin stressed that unsaturated essential fatty acids are necessary for the maintenance of good health because they can help reduce blood pressure and the chance of cardiovascular disease and restrain the growth of cancer cells.
Essential fatty acids are found in vegetables, seed oil and oil extracted from marine fish.
Saturated fatty acids are found in animal products such as meat, milk, and butter. Excessive consumption of saturated acids could speed intravascular clotting and strokes, and promote the rapid cancer growth.
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