Unsaturated Fatty Acids Linked to Prediabetes Risk According To New research

Prediabetes is a condition characterized by elevated blood glucose levels that are not yet high enough to be classified as diabetes. Understanding the risk factors associated with prediabetes is crucial for developing preventive strategies. Unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), which include polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), play significant roles in metabolism and health. This study aimed to explore the association between serum levels of common and uncommon UFAs and the risk of prediabetes.

Data were analyzed from 3575 individuals enrolled in NHANES for the years 2003-2004 and 2011-2012. Weighted proportional and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association of serum PUFAs and MUFAs with prediabetes risk. The analyses adjusted for potential confounders such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, and physical activity levels.

The study identified significant associations between specific PUFAs and MUFAs and the risk of prediabetes. Key findings include:

PUFAs:

• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n3) was associated with an increased risk of prediabetes (OR = 1.878, 95% CI: 1.177–2.996, Ptrend = 0.002).

• Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3 n6) was also associated with an increased risk (OR = 1.702, 95% CI: 1.140–2.541, Ptrend = 0.016).

MUFAs

• Palmitoleic acid (PA, 16:1 n7) was linked to a higher risk of prediabetes (OR in quintile5 = 1.780, 95% CI: 1.056–3.001, Ptrend = 0.003).

• Eicosenoic acid (EA, 20:1 n9) was inversely associated with prediabetes risk (OR = 0.587, 95% CI: 0.347–0.994, Ptrend = 0.010).

• Additionally, nonlinear analysis revealed that serum levels of EPA (20:5 n3) and EA (20:1 n-9) were nonlinearly associated with prediabetes risk, indicating complex relationships between these fatty acids and metabolic health.

The study's findings suggest that some serum n-3 PUFAs are positively associated with prediabetes, while several n-6 PUFAs have inverse associations. This indicates that different types of UFAs can have varying impacts on prediabetes risk, highlighting the importance of individualized nutritional strategies.

The study concludes that certain serum unsaturated fatty acids are associated with the risk of prediabetes. Specifically, n-3 PUFAs such as EPA and GLA are linked to increased risk, while certain MUFAs like EA are associated with reduced risk. These results suggest that managing serum levels of specific UFAs may play a role in prediabetes prevention, offering new directions for clinical and nutritional interventions.

Reference:

Zhang, L., Liu, J., Cao, Y., Liu, S., Zhao, W., Wang, C., Banzhao, S., Liu, Z., & Liu, L. (2024). Association between circulating levels of unsaturated fatty acids and risk for prediabetes in the NHANES 2003–2004 and 2011–2012. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 111728, 111728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2024.111728