Effect of dietary fatty acid composition on substrate utilization and body weight maintenance in humans.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE:

Dietary fat content is a primary factor associated with the increase in global obesity rates. There is a delay in achieving fat balance following exposure to a high-fat (HF) diet (≥ 40% of total energy from fat) and fat balance is closely linked to energy balance. Exercise has been shown to improve this rate of adaptation to a HF diet. Recently, however, the role of dietary fatty acid composition on energy and macronutrient balance has come into question.

METHODS:

We chose studies that compared monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and saturated fatty acids (SFA). We have reviewed studies that measured diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), energy expenditure (EE), or fat oxidation (FOx) in response to a HF meal challenge, or long-term dietary intervention comparing these fatty acids.

RESULTS:

While single-meal studies show that SFA induce lower DIT and FOx compared to unsaturated fats, the effect of the degree of unsaturation (MUFA vs. PUFA) appears to yet be determined. Long-term dietary interventions also support the notion that unsaturated fats induce greater EE, DIT, and/or FOx versus SFA and that a high MUFA diet induces more weight loss compared to a high SFA diet. Sex and BMI status also affect the metabolic responses to different fatty acids; however, more research in these areas is warranted.

CONCLUSION:

SFA are likely more obesigenic than MUFA, and PUFA. The unsaturated fats appear to be more metabolically beneficial, specifically MUFA ≥ PUFA > SFA, as evidenced by the higher DIT and FOx following HF meals or diets.

• Authors: Sridevi Krishnan, Jamie A Cooper
• Journal: European journal of nutrition (Eur J Nutr) Vol. 53 Issue 3 Pg. 691-710 (Apr 2014) ISSN: 1436-6215 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 24363161 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Dietary Fats
• Fatty Acids
• Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated

Topics

• Adaptation, Physiological
• Diet, High-Fat (adverse effects)
• Dietary Fats (adverse effects, metabolism)
• Energy Metabolism
• Exercise
• Fatty Acids (adverse effects, metabolism)
• Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated (adverse effects, metabolism)
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated (adverse effects, metabolism)
• Humans
• Obesity (etiology, metabolism)
• Overweight (etiology, metabolism)
• Oxidation-Reduction
• Thermogenesis
• Weight Gain