The Development of Individual Human Fatty Acid Reference Ranges

Consumption of dietary fatty acids (FA) are essential for the development and maintenance of human health. Currently, individual FA reference ranges have yet to be established in the field of dietary lipid research. Clinical reference ranges for lipids, such as cholesterol, are routinely utilized in clinical practices for efficient and precise assessments. However, a number of factors such as dietary consumption, age, sex, and metabolism have been shown to modify FA status. In this study, the effect of aging on FA status in Australians, and the correlation between FA concentrations and lipid biomarkers in Singaporean adults was examined. FA status was modestly correlated to aging across multiple decades and lipid biomarkers strongly correlated to FA concentrations. Continuing to profile multiple cohorts in different countries, using consistent methodology, will allow for FA cut-off values to be developed (i.e. sufficiency vs. deficiency) and provide target values for reducing chronic disease risk.