Different Types of Industry-Produced and Ruminant Trans Fatty Acid Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Findings From the NutriNet-Santé Prospective Cohort

A Comparative Analysis of Butter, Ghee, and Margarine and Its Implications for Healthier Fat and Oil Group Choices: SWOT Analysis

This study aims to comparatively analyze butter, ghee, and margarine fatty acid profiles and their implications for healthier fat and oil group choices. In this cross-sectional study, 60 samples from best-selling brands of butter, ghee, and margarine were randomly selected from five food chain stores in Tehran, Iran. Then, all the samples were coded, packed in cool conditions, and sent to the laboratory to determine the fatty acid profiles by using gas chromatography (GC). Based on the authors' experiences and the available literature, a policy dialogue session was held with stakeholders about oil and fat challenges, followed by a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. The mean ± SE of total fatty acids in butter, ghee, and margarine was 94.07 ± 0.17, 94.49 ± 0.61, and 99.00 ± 0.18; total saturated fatty acid (TSFA) 66.69 ± 0.39, 64.26 ± 0.63, and 40.36 ± 0.87; trans fatty acid (TFA) 2.43 ± 0.09, 3.60 ± 0.29, and 0.83 ± 0.15 g/100 gfat, respectively. The predominant TFAs in butter and ghee were vaccenic acid (animal source) (2.06 ± 0.07 and 2.41 ± 0.17), while in margarine, it was elaidic acid (plant-based source) (0.32 ± 0.12 g/100 gfat), respectively. Also, the SWOT findings showed being TFAs in the acceptable range (as the main strength), mismanagement (Weakness), reducing taxes based on lower TFA content (Opportunity), and sanctions (as the main Threat) were the most important criteria affecting fat choices in the Iranian food basket. The results of the study found that butter, ghee, and margarine contain relatively low levels of TFAs; however, butter and ghee were rich in beneficial fatty acids, which have been shown to have health-protective properties. Policymakers can implicate the proposed strategies and opportunities from the SWOT analysis for healthier fat and oil choices to promote public health.

Association between plasma trans fatty acids and serum α-klotho levels in adults in the United States of America: an analysis of the NHANES 2009-2010 datasets

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to explore the potential associations between trans fatty acid (TFA) and α-klotho levels.

METHODS

Datasets from the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analysed for this study. Multivariable linear regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses were performed to examine the relationships between plasma TFA and serum α-klotho levels.

RESULTS

A total of 1,205 participants were included, with a geometric mean (GM) of 803.60 (95% CI: 787.45, 820.00) pg/mL for serum α-klotho levels. RCS analysis revealed L-shaped relationships between TFA and α-klotho levels. The inflection points for palmitelaidic acid (PA), vaccinic acid (VA), elaidic acid (EA), and total TFA levels were 4.55, 20.50, 18.70, and 46.40 µmol/L, respectively. Before reaching the inflection point, serum α-klotho levels were negatively correlated with plasma PA, VA, EA and total TFA levels, with β values (95% CI) of -0.15 (-0.24, -0.06), -0.16 (-0.23, -0.09), -0.14 (-0.22, -0.05) and - 0.19 (-0.27, -0.11), respectively. Linolelaidic acid (LA) levels exhibited an inverse and linear association with α-klotho levels ( Pnonlinearity=0.167, Poverall<0.001). L-shaped relationships between TFA and α-klotho levels were also observed in the subgroups of participants who were aged < 65 years, were male, did not exercise, were ex-smokers, and were overweight/obese.

CONCLUSIONS

L-shaped correlations between plasma PA, VA, EA, and total TFA levels and serum α-klotho levels were observed among adults in the United States.

Nutrient quality in dietary therapy for diabetes and diabetic kidney disease

Dietary therapy is crucial for diabetes care with the aim of preventing the onset and progression of diabetes and its complications. The traditional approach to dietary therapy for diabetes has primarily focused on restricting the intake of the three major nutrients and rigorously controlling blood glucose levels. However, advancements in nutritional science have shown that within the three major nutrients - carbohydrates, proteins and lipids - there exist multiple types, each with distinct impacts on type 2 diabetes and its complications, sometimes even showing conflicting effects. In light of this, the present review shifts its focus from the quantity to the quality of the three major nutrients. It aims to provide an overview of how the differences in nutrient quality can influence onset and progression of type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease, highlighting the diverse effects and, at times, contradictory impacts associated with each nutrient type.

Circulating trans fatty acids are associated with prostate cancer in Ghanaian and American men

The association between fatty acids and prostate cancer remains poorly explored in African-descent populations. Here, we analyze 24 circulating fatty acids in 2934 men, including 1431 prostate cancer cases and 1503 population controls from Ghana and the United States, using CLIA-certified mass spectrometry-based assays. We investigate their associations with population groups (Ghanaian, African American, European American men), lifestyle factors, the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) genetic locus, and prostate cancer. Blood levels of circulating fatty acids vary significantly between the three population groups, particularly trans, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. FADS1/2 germline genetic variants and lifestyle factors explain some of the variation in fatty acid levels, with the FADS1/2 locus showing population-specific associations, suggesting differences in their control by germline genetic factors. All trans fatty acids, namely elaidic, palmitelaidic, and linoelaidic acids, associated with an increase in the odds of developing prostate cancer, independent of ancestry, geographic location, or potential confounders.