Elevated levels of certain medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and dairy products may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). This protective effect is notably stronger among individuals with a high genetic predisposition to diabetes or those who are physically inactive.
Study Design:
To explore the link between dietary MCFAs and T2D risk, researchers utilized a nested case-control study within the broader China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort Study. This analysis included 1,707 participants who developed diabetes during an average follow-up period of 3.03 years, alongside a matched control group of 1,707 individuals with normal glucose levels at the study’s outset. Participants had an average age of 57.56 years, with 59.4% being women.
The study examined baseline serum levels of five specific MCFAs—octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, undecanoic acid, and lauric acid—and their relationship with diabetes risk. Researchers also considered individual genetic risk factors for diabetes, calculated using a weighted sum of 86 single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with T2D.
Key Findings:
The analysis revealed that higher serum levels of octanoic acid and nonanoic acid were associated with a reduced risk of T2D. Specifically, each standard deviation increase in octanoic acid and nonanoic acid levels correlated with a 10% and 16% decrease in diabetes risk, respectively (odds ratio [OR], 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-0.98 and OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.74-0.95; all P < .05).
Subgroup analyses indicated that these protective effects were more pronounced among individuals who were physically inactive, with significant interactions observed for octanoic, nonanoic, and decanoic acids (P for interaction = .042, .034, and .037, respectively). Additionally, the relationship between octanoic acid levels and diabetes risk was notably stronger in those with a high genetic risk (P for interaction = .003).
Conversely, no significant associations were found between decanoic, undecanoic, and lauric acids and overall diabetes risk.
Clinical Implications:
The study supports the potential benefits of MCFAs in reducing diabetes risk and suggests that personalized dietary interventions, considering individual genetic and lifestyle factors, could enhance T2D prevention strategies.
Source:
The research was conducted by Dr. Xiaojing Jia and Dr. Hong Lin from the Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. The findings were published online in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Limitations:
The study’s relatively short follow-up period of three years may limit the power of the results, potentially overlooking long-term effects of MCFAs on diabetes risk. Additionally, the study focused on Chinese adults over 40, which may affect the applicability of the findings to other populations and age groups.
Related topics:
FDA Alerts on Compounded Drug Overdoses Amid Rising Demand
Inconsistent Sleep Patterns Linked to Higher Diabetes Risk
Increasing Use of GLP-1 Agonists: Impact on Diabetes Drug Shortages and Access
