Dynamics of Fatty Acid Composition in Lipids and Their Distinct Roles in Cardiometabolic Health

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Obesity and cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) have reached epidemic levels. Dysregulation of lipid metabolism is a risk factor for obesity and CMDs. Lipids are energy substrates, essential components of cell membranes, and signaling molecules. Fatty acids (FAs) are the major components of lipids and are classified based on carbon chain length and number, position, and stereochemistry of double bonds. They exert differential impacts on CMDs, such that saturated fat increases risks while very-long-chain n-3 FAs provide benefits. The functionalities of FAs, modulating membrane properties, acting as ligands for receptors, and serving as precursors for lipid mediators, are vital for insulin signaling, lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response, collectively contributing to cardiometabolic health. This review examines recent advances in the characteristics and functional properties of different FAs in lipid structures, signaling pathways, and cellular metabolism to better understand the differential roles of different types of FAs in obesity and cardiometabolic health.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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