Discovery Regarding Fatty Acids Could Lead To More Effective Dietary Supplements

A study by U.S. researchers has found that animal-derived saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid are strongly linked to adverse health effects because they activate key regulatory molecules called Jun kinases that are implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity and atherosclerosis. Unsaturated fatty acids, however, found in plants and cold water fish, not only do not activate those regulatory molecules, they actually block activation by palmitic acid. The researchers suggested that a better understanding of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as EPA and related omega-3 fatty acids, could lead to the identification of EPA-like molecules – and creation of dietary supplements – that are more effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.