Polyunsaturated fatty acids, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome in South Asian Americans in Maryland

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by the accumulation of cardiovascular risk factors among men and women worldwide. The use of very long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC PUFA) could potentially benefit individuals with MetS. The goal was to better understand the relationship between MetS and VLC PUFA in South Asian (SA) Americans who experience an elevated risk for heart disease. We analyzed a cross section of South Asian (SA) using the automated self‐administered 24‐hr recall (ASA24) and clinic data in a low‐income SA in Maryland. We found no correlation between MetS indicators (high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, diastolic blood pressure, and waist circumference (WC)) and dietary n‐3 PUFA (eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic acids). However, dietary n‐6 VLC PUFA (arachidonic acid [AA]) was associated with cholesterol and fasting blood glucose levels. SA with MetS did not have a significantly low level of dietary VLC PUFA intake, and there were no SA group differences in the intake of VLC PUFA but there were significant gender differences. Dietary practices in SA may contribute to increased proinflammatory markers and play a role in elevated MetS components.