Abstract
Nutritional status is a well-recognized prognostic indicator in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, very little is known about the relationship between lung function and saturated fat intake. We used data from the cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) to assess the relationship between saturated fatty acid (SFA) intake and lung function in the general US adult population. Adults in NHANES (2007–2012) with pre-bronchodilator spirometry measurements and dietary SFA intake were included. Primary outcomes were lung function including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1, forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, percent predicted FEV1 and percent predicted FVC. Multivariable regression models in the general population as well as those with spirometry-defined airflow obstruction were used to assess the relationship between lung function measurements and dietary SFA intake after adjustment for confounders. 11,180 eligible participants were included in this study. Univariate analysis revealed a statistically significant positive association between total SFA intake and lung function outcomes; however, these relationships were attenuated after adjustment for covariates. A secondary analysis of individuals with spirometry-defined airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC < 0.7) revealed that a lower intake of SFA was associated with reduced FEV1 (β = −126.4, p = 0.04 for quartile 1 vs. quartile 4), FVC (β = −165.8. p = 0.01 for quartile 1 vs. quartile 4), and percent predicted FVC (β = −3.3. p = 0.04 for quartile 1 vs. quartile 4), after adjustment for relevant confounders. No associations were observed for the FEV1/FVC ratio and percent predicted FEV1. It is possible that characteristics such as food source and fatty acid chain length may influence associations between saturated fatty acid intake and health outcomes.
Highlights
The two major diagnoses associated with obstructive lung disease in the United States (US) are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
One group of nutritional compounds, the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) omega (n)-3 and n-6 fatty acids, have received much attention regarding their potential role in respiratory disease
We evaluated intakes of individual fatty acids to determine if specific individual fatty acids (C4:0 to C18:0) were driving the observed association between saturated fatty acid (SFA) intake and lung function parameters in individuals with airflow obstruction
Summary
The two major diagnoses associated with obstructive lung disease in the United States (US) are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to smoking cessation, there have been efforts to reduce the number of deaths due to respiratory disease using other modifiable risk factors, including diet. Several different dietary factors have been evaluated with regard to lung function and respiratory diseases, including individual micronutrients [2,3], fiber [4], polyunsaturated omega-3 and. One group of nutritional compounds, the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) omega (n)-3 and n-6 fatty acids, have received much attention regarding their potential role in respiratory disease. These fatty acids are precursors to potent lipid mediator signaling eicosanoid molecules, which have important roles in the regulation of inflammation. Eicosanoids derived from n-6 PUFA are generally considered pro-inflammatory while eicosanoids derived from n-3 PUFA are anti-inflammatory [7]
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