Cross‐Sectional Associations of Food Consumption with Plasma Fatty Acid Composition and Estimated Desaturase Activities in Finnish Children

Abstract

Plasma fatty acid (FA) composition is known to be an indicator of dietary fat quality, but the associations of other dietary factors with plasma FA composition remain unknown in children. We investigated the cross-sectional associations of food consumption with the proportions of FA and estimated desaturase activities in plasma cholesteryl esters (CE) and phospholipids (PL) among children. The subjects were a population sample of 423 children aged 6–8 years examined at baseline of The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) Study. We assessed food consumption by food records and plasma FA composition by gas chromatography. We used linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, physical activity and total energy intake to analyze the associations. A higher consumption of vegetable oil-based margarine (fat 60–80 %) was associated with a higher proportion of linoleic and α-linolenic acids in plasma CE and PL. A higher consumption of high-fiber grain products was related to a lower proportion of oleic acid in CE and PL. The consumption of candy was directly associated with the proportion of palmitoleic and oleic acid in plasma CE. The consumption of vegetable oil-based margarine was inversely associated with estimated stearoyl-CoA-desaturase activity in plasma CE and PL and the consumption of candy was directly related to it in plasma CE. The results of our study suggest that plasma FA composition is not only a biomarker for dietary fat quality but also reflects the consumption of high-fiber grain products and foods high in sugar among children.

Effects Of Dietary Supplementation With A Mixture Of Buckwheat Leaf And Flower On Fatty Acid Composition Of Rat Brain Phospholipids

“…This result is in line with the recent study, reporting the lower level of oleic acid in plasma phospholipids of children fed a diet rich in fi ber [27]. In the brain tissue oleic acid is synthesized from its unsaturated precursor stearic acid (18:0), which is also synthesized by the brain or can be exogenously imported by passing the bloodbrain barrier [28].…”

The profile of polyunsaturated fatty acids in juvenile idiopathic arthritis and association with disease activity

“…We have found significantly lower serum DHA level in patients with early-stage and active JIA when compared to the control group despite a lack of differences in PUFA intake between studied groups of children, as well as intake of nutrients (dietary fiber, sugars, data not shown) which have been proven to affect plasma DHA levels in children [32]. This may suggest the impeded endogenic synthesis of DHA in active and short-lasting disease [30, 32]. This result implies a need for more information from larger, dose-response studies with meticulous dietary control, especially in young patients.…”

“…However, it has been shown that adequate dietary ALA intake may ensure ample DHA level in blood by effective conversion of ALA in liver [31]. We have found significantly lower serum DHA level in patients with early-stage and active JIA when compared to the control group despite a lack of differences in PUFA intake between studied groups of children, as well as intake of nutrients (dietary fiber, sugars, data not shown) which have been proven to affect plasma DHA levels in children [32]. This may suggest the impeded endogenic synthesis of DHA in active and short-lasting disease [30, 32].…”

FADS2 genotype regulates delta-6 desaturase activity and inflammation in human adipose tissue

“…FA composition in serum and AT was analyzed according to previously described methods ( 12,13 ). In short, the serum samples were extracted with chloroform-methanol (2:1) and the different lipid fractions, cholesteryl ester, TG, and phospholipid, were separated by solid phase extraction with an aminopropyl column.…”