Abstract
Objectives
Higher blood levels of the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid (LA), are associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. However, many dietary oils once high in LA are now low in LA and high in oleic acid (OA). We have previously shown in healthy adults that supplementation with a high LA oil can increase plasma LA levels and decrease plasma OA levels. The current study examines the relationship of habitual levels of plasma LA and OA with markers of body composition, inflammation and glycemia in healthy adults.
Methods
Data from baseline visit were analyzed from 127 health adults participating in a 2-week study of the effect of dietary oils on blood fatty acid profiles. Plasma fatty acid composition was measured by gas chromatography. Insulin, glucose, total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNF-r2) and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) were measured in fasting plasma samples. Body mass index (BMI) and sagittal diameter (SAD) were measured as markers of body composition. Grip strength was measured as a marker of muscle strength and gait speed was measured as a marker of muscle function. Linear regression was used to assess the association of study measurements to plasma LA or OA. Results were adjusted for sex, age, physical activity and BMI.
Results
Plasma LA was negatively associated with both BMI and SAD while plasma OA was positively associated with both insulin and grip strength. In males, but not females, higher plasma LA was associated with higher HMW adiponectin while higher plasma OA was positively associated with fasting glucose. Neither plasma LA or OA were associated with total adiponectin, TNF-r2, LBP or gait speed.
Conclusions
Higher levels of plasma LA predicted for lower measures of adiposity in both males and females and higher HMW adiponectin levels in males. Higher levels of plasm OA predicted for increased grip strength and higher glycemia, particularly in men. To our knowledge no randomized controlled trial has compared LA or OA supplementation on body composition, glycemia, and adiponectin in healthy men and women.
Funding Sources
Funding was provided by the Carol S. Kennedy Professorship and the Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center.
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