Plasma fatty acid patterns reflect dietary habits and metabolic health: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

CONCLUSION: Distinct fatty acid patterns were identified which were related to demographics, dietary habits, and metabolic profile. A pattern higher in VLCSFA and lower in ALA was associated with healthier metabolic outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS: Plasma fatty acid patterns were derived from 26 plasma fatty acids using k-means cluster analysis. Four clusters were identified, each with a distinct fatty acid profile. Cluster 1 included high proportions of linoleic acid (LA) and low proportions of stearic acid (SA); cluster 2 was higher in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and SA; the profile of cluster 3 was higher in very-long-chain saturated fatty acid (VLCSFA) and lower in α-linolenic acid (ALA) (cluster 3); while cluster 4 was higher in fatty acids related to de novo lipogenesis and 20:3n-6 and lower in LA (cluster 4). In general, cluster 4 was associated with adverse metabolic profile and higher metabolic risk (p < 0.033). Clusters 2 and 3 were associated with healthier and protective phenotypes (p < 0.033). SCOPE: Using pattern analysis, we investigated the relationship between plasma fatty acid patterns, dietary intake, and biomarkers of metabolic health using data from the Irish National Adult Nutrition Survey.