Membranes are mainly composed of a
lipid bilayer and
proteins, constituting a checkpoint for the entry and passage of signals and other molecules. Their composition can be modulated by diet, pathophysiological processes, and nutritional/
pharmaceutical interventions. In addition to their use as an energy source,
lipids have important structural and functional roles, e.g., fatty acyl moieties in
phospholipids have distinct impacts on human health depending on their saturation,
carbon length, and isometry. These and other
membrane lipids have quite specific effects on the
lipid bilayer structure, which regulates the interaction with signaling
proteins. Alterations to
lipids have been associated with important diseases, and, consequently, normalization of these alterations or regulatory interventions that control
membrane lipid composition have therapeutic potential. This approach, termed
membrane lipid therapy or
membrane lipid replacement, has emerged as a novel technology platform for nutraceutical interventions and
drug discovery. Several clinical trials and therapeutic products have validated this technology based on the understanding of membrane structure and function. The present review analyzes the molecular basis of this innovative approach, describing how
membrane lipid composition and structure affects
protein-
lipid interactions, cell signaling, disease, and
therapy (e.g.,
fatigue and cardiovascular, neurodegenerative,
tumor,
infectious diseases).