Alpha Linolenic Acid-enriched Diacylglycerol Enhances Postprandial Fat Oxidation in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Double-blind Controlled Trail

J Oleo Sci. 2016 Aug 1;65(8):685-91. doi: 10.5650/jos.ess16064. Epub 2016 Jul 15.

Abstract

Alpha linolenic acid-enriched diacylglycerol (ALA-DAG) reduces visceral fat area and body fat in rodents and humans compared to conventional triacylglycerol (TAG). Although ALA-DAG increases dietary fat utilization as energy in rodents, its effects in humans are not known. The present study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover intervention trial performed to clarify the effect of ALA-DAG on postprandial energy metabolism in humans. Nineteen healthy subjects participated in this study, and postprandial energy metabolism was evaluated using indirect calorimetry followed by 14-d repeated pre-consumption of TAG (rapeseed oil) as a control or ALA-DAG. As a primary outcome, ALA-DAG induced significantly higher postprandial fat oxidation than TAG. As a secondary outcome, carbohydrate oxidation tended to be decreased. In addition, postprandial energy expenditure was significantly increased by ALA-DAG compared to TAG. These findings suggest that daily ALA-DAG consumption stimulates dietary fat utilization as energy after a meal, as well as greater diet induced thermogenesis in healthy humans. In conclusion, repeated consumption of ALA-DAG enhanced postprandial fat metabolism after a meal, which may partially explain its visceral fat area-reducing effect.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Calorimetry
  • Diet
  • Diglycerides / administration & dosage
  • Diglycerides / pharmacology*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Energy Intake / drug effects
  • Energy Metabolism / drug effects
  • Fats / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidation-Reduction / drug effects
  • Postprandial Period* / drug effects
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid / administration & dosage
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 1,2-diacylglycerol
  • Diglycerides
  • Fats
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid