Effects of diets enriched in saturated (Palmitic), monounsaturated (Oleic), or trans (Elaidic) fatty acids on insulin sensitivity and substrate oxidation in healthy adults

Jennifer C. Lovejoy, Steven R. Smith, Catherine M. Champagne, Marlene M. Most, Michael Lefevre, James P. DeLany, Yvonne M. Denkins, Jennifer C. Rood, Johannes Veldhuis, George A. Bray

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

208 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE - Diets high in total and saturated fat are associated with insulin resistance. This study examined the effects of feeding monounsaturated, saturated, and trans fatty acids on insulin action in healthy adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - A randomized, double-blind, crossover study was conducted comparing three controlled 4-week diets (57% carbohydrate, 28% fat, and 15% protein) enriched with different fatty acids in 25 healthy men and women. The monounsaturated fat diet (M) had 9% of energy as C18:1cis (oleic acid). The saturated fat diet (S) had 9% of energy as palmitic acid, and the trans fatty acid diet (T) had 9% as C18:1trans. Body weight was kept constant throughout the study. After each diet period, insulin pulsatile secretion, insulin sensitivity index (S1) by the minimal model method, serum lipids, and fat oxidation by indirect calorimetry were measured. RESULTS - Mean S1 for the M, S, and T diets was 3.44 ± 0.26, 3.20 ± 0.26, and 3.40 ± 0.26 × 10-4 min-1·μU -1·ml-1, respectively (NS). S1 decreased by 24% on the S versus M diet in overweight subjects but was unchanged in lean subjects (NS). Insulin secretion was unaffected by diet, whereas total and HDL cholesterol increased significantly on the S diet. Subjects oxidized the least fat on the M diet (26.0 ± 1.5 g/day) and the most fat on the T diet (31.4 ± 1.5 g/day) (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS - Dietary fatty acid composition significantly influenced fat oxidation but did not impact insulin sensitivity or secretion in lean individuals. Overweight individuals were more susceptible to developing insulin resistance on high-saturated fat diets.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1283-1288
Number of pages6
JournalDiabetes care
Volume25
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Advanced and Specialized Nursing

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