Saturated Fatty Acids Consumed in Smoothies Increase Glucose and Metabolic Load Index in Young Adults Compared to Polyunsaturated Omega-3-Fatty Acids

Introduction: Chronic diets high in saturated fat (SF) and omega-6-fatty acids (O6FAs) elevate fasting triglycerides (TRGs) and glucose (GLU). Postprandial TRGs, GLU, and Metabolic Load Index (MLI) are better predictors of disease risk compared to fasting levels alone. Conversely, diets high in omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) may be cardioprotective. Unfortunately, many existing postprandial studies are not standardized to body weight and given in an amount individuals would typically consume in their daily lives; the MLI is not calculated, and varying types of fat content are not examined. Therefore, we sought to determine whether SF, O3FAs, or O6FAs altered postprandial TRGs, GLU, and MLI from a standardized mixed meal. Methods: Fifteen individuals (6 M and 9 F) visited the laboratory three times, separated by at least 48 h, to consume HFM smoothies with varying FA composition (SF, high O6FAs, and high O3FAs). The smoothies were standardized to 12 kcal/kg body weight, 63% total fat, and 0.72 g/kg sugar. TRGs and GLU were collected at baseline and at 2 h and 4 h postprandially; the MLI was calculated by summing the TRG and GLU responses at each time point. Results: There was a significant increase in TRGs across time points (p < 0.001). For TRGs, there was a trend toward a significant interaction between smoothie type and time (p = 0.06) due to the increase in TRGs in the SF compared to the O3FA smoothie. There was an increase in postprandial GLU that varied across smoothie types (p = 0.036). Taken together, the MLI was elevated in the SF smoothie compared to the O3FAs at 2 h (p = 0.041). Conclusion: A SF smoothie in the morning elevated the metabolic load compared to an O3FA smoothie. Mechanisms of action in the competing clearance of TRGs and GLU warrant further investigation

THE EFFECTS OF MATERNAL PERINATAL EXERCISE ON INFANT NEUROMOTOR OUTCOMES

BACKGROUND: Aerobic exercise during pregnancy has been well established as safe and effective for both mother and infant. Few studies have examined the effects of different exercise modes during pregnancy on infant outcomes. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of exercise mode during pregnancy on 1-month infant neuromotor outcomes. METHODS: Pregnant women were recruited and randomized to either aerobic (AE), resistance (RE), combination (CE), or control (CON) groups. Participants completed 150 min each week of supervised activity. After delivery, 1-month infant neuromotor skills were assessed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scales (AIMs) and Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, 2nd Edition. ANOVAs were used to compare differences between exercise groups; data was stratified by pre-pregnancy BMI (healthy weight, HW vs. overweight-obese, OO) and infant sex (M, F). Regressions assessed predictors of 1-month neuromotor outcomes. RESULTS: Groups were similar in maternal, neonate, and 1-month descriptors. Trends for improved subscores included: AE and RE in Prone (p=.20); CE in Sitting (p=.11); RE in Standing (p=.20) relative to controls. In females (F) from Healthy Weight (HW) women, all exercise types had increased gestational age (p=.03), AE and CE had greater Stationary (p=.17) subscores; in males (M) of HW women, all exercise types had greater Sitting (p=.02) subscores. In F from OO women, AE had greater total AIMs score (p=.20), while AE and RE had greater Stationary (p=.02) Locomotion (p=.06) subscores, as well as GMQ (p=.05) scores; in M of OO women, all exercise with increased height (p=.03) and weight (p=.02), RE with greater Prone (p=.03) and Standing (p=.04) subscores, with greater total AIMS (p=.04) scores. Controlling for other factors, we found significant predictors of 1-month neuromotor scores. Reflex scores were predicted by maternal exercise attendance, pre-pregnancy activity, fitness level, ethnicity, infant sex and body fat. Stationary scores were predicted by exercise mode, pre-pregnancy activity, baby BMI. GMQ was predicted by maternal exercise mode, race, delivery type, pre-pregnancy activity, BMI, and 1-month body fat. CONCLUSION: Maternal exercise mode or attendance, and infant body fat influences 1-month neuromotor skills. There are differences in 1-month neuromotor outcomes based on infant sex as well as maternal pre-pregnancy BMI. Further research is needed to understand this

Self-Reported Intake and Circulating EPA and DHA Concentrations in US Pregnant Women

In the United States, pregnant women have low concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are essential for fetal development. Although maternal blood provides accurate polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations, venipuncture is expensive and not always accessible. PUFA-containing foods consumption, both omega-3 ad omega-6 is supposed to reflect in the status (plasma, RBC, adipose tissue) of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). De novo synthesis of DHA and EPA during pregnancy is supposed to be higher compared to pre and/or post-pregnancy periods. Thus, this study aimed to determine the association between maternal self-reported dietary intake of foods high in DHA and EPA, along with vegetable oils as a source of omega-6 fatty acids, with maternal blood DHA and EPA concentrations. Pregnant women (13–16 weeks gestation) were recruited and asked to complete a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and blood draw at enrollment and 36 weeks. Circulating concentrations of DHA and EPA were quantified and change scores were calculated. Correlations were done to determine associations between FFQ results and EPA/DHA maternal blood concentrations. Regression analyses were run to examine significant predictors of the main outcomes. Overall, PUFA-food consumption and RBC’s DHA levels decreased from early to late pregnancy; self-reported PUFA-rich food consumption positively correlated with DHA and EPA levels. DHA concentration was predicted by self-reported PUFA-rich oils (sunflower/soy/corn/olive) consumption, but EPA concentration was predicted by maternal BMI. These findings suggest that EPA and DHA consumption decreased across pregnancy and the FFQ can be utilized as an effective method for estimating PUFA blood concentration during pregnancy