Unsaturated fatty acids do not have a favourable metabolic response in overweight subjects: Results of a meta-analysis

• Main Authors: Junia Elisa Carvalho de Meira, Louise Crovesy, Anna Lúcia Andrade Santos, Cíntia Chaves Curioni, Eliane Lopes Rosado
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2018-04-01
• Series: Journal of Functional Foods
• Subjects: Dietary fatty acids; Unsaturated fatty acids; Energy metabolism; Overweight
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464618300537

Bachground: Degree of saturation appears to have different effects on energy metabolism, which can help weight loss. The aim of study was to evaluate the influence of meals/dietary fats on energy metabolism of overweight subjects. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in the MEDLINE, Web of Science, Lilacs and Scopus database until January 2018 without language restriction. Randomized and controlled clinical trials with overweight adult subjects in whom evaluated diet or meal high PUFA, MUFA and SFA on energy metabolism was included. Study design, population, intervention and outcomes were abstracted from studies. Assessment for bias was conducted in identified trials. Data were analysed by difference between averages. Heterogeneity were performed and I2 values greater than 50% showed heterogeneity. Results: Energy expenditure (EE) did not change when compared MUFA and PUFA with CHO and SFA. Based on the meta-analysis, there is no scientific evidence demonstrating that unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) present favourable metabolic response in overweight individuals. Lipid, regardless of the presence of unsaturation is a macronutrient that provides a lower EE compared to CHO. Conclusion: Scientific evidence did not sustain that unsaturated fats present favorable metabolic response in overweight subjects.