Effect of a fat spread enriched with medium-chain triacylglycerols and a special fatty acid-micronutrient combination on cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight patients with diabetes

Roswitha Siener,Christine Metzner,Christina Ehrhardt,Norman Bitterlich

doi:10.1186/1743-7075-8-21

Roswitha Siener, Christine Metzner + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-7075-8-21

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Abstract

BackgroundMedium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT), omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3-PUFA) and micronutrients may be useful for weight and cardiometabolic risk management. However, studies analyzing the effect of a combination of both in individuals at increased cardiometabolic risk are lacking. Therefore, this randomized, controlled, double-blind study investigated the effect of a fat spread enriched with two different doses of MCT and a special long-chain fatty acid-micronutrient combination on cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight diabetic patients.MethodsFifty-four patients received either a fat spread with 6 g/d MCT (MCT30%) or 1.2 g/d (MCT6%). Forty-three completed the study. Analysis was performed according to the median of MCT intake (supplemented and food-derived MCT). Clinical, anthropometric, blood, 24 h-urine parameters and dietary intake were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks.ResultsTotal MCT intake > 7 g/d (MCT > 7 group) significantly reduced waist circumference (WC) by 1.81 ± 2.69 cm, whereas ≤ 7 g/d MCT (MCT ≤ 7 group) increased WC by 0.32 ± 3.03 cm (p = 0.027), which was supported by a change in waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (p = 0.018). Fasting serum triglycerides (TG) increased in both groups over time due to dietary habits. In contrast, diabetic metabolic situation and urinary albumin excretion did not alter. Urinary pH differed significantly between groups after 12 weeks.ConclusionAn intake of >7 g/d MCT reduced WC in overweight diabetics, whereas the increase in the intake of fatty acids may have worsened fasting TG. Therefore, the suitability of a fat for nutrient enrichment remains to be challenged, and further studies in low-fat matrices are desirable.

Highlights

Evidence indicates the importance of abdominal adipose tissue as endocrine tissue being key for cardiometabolic risk factors [1]
Both men and women aged 30 to 82 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or greater and a waist circumference (WC) ≥94 cm for women and ≥102 cm for men were included into the study
Analysis was performed according to the median of Medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT) intake, which was 7 g/d MCT

Summary

Introduction

Evidence indicates the importance of abdominal adipose tissue as endocrine tissue being key for cardiometabolic risk factors [1]. The cardiometabolic protective effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3-PUFA) appear to be due to a synergism between multiple mechanisms. These involve anti-inflammatory, inflammation-resolving, anti-arrhythmic and anti-thrombotic effects as well as a regulation of transcription factors, gene expression and membrane fluidity [14]. Medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT), omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3-PUFA) and micronutrients may be useful for weight and cardiometabolic risk management. Studies analyzing the effect of a combination of both in individuals at increased cardiometabolic risk are lacking This randomized, controlled, double-blind study investigated the effect of a fat spread enriched with two different doses of MCT and a special long-chain fatty acid-micronutrient combination on cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight diabetic patients

Methods

Results

Conclusion