C15:0 Supplementation in Young Adults at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a disturbance in how the body processes both carbohydrates and fats. This condition has become common in children and young adults, especially in association with excess body fat. People with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Diet is believed to play an important role in both developing and treating metabolic syndrome. Studies have shown that low dietary intake of a type of fats known as odd chain fatty acids is associated with a higher risk for each of the metabolic syndrome associated conditions of diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease. Supplementation with one specific odd chain fatty acid known as C15:0 has shown to decrease the effects of metabolic syndrome in both cellular and animal models. In people, the epidemiology of consumption of C15:0 in the diet is consistent with this belief. However, clinical trials have yet to be done with supplemental C15:0. This study is a pilot study of C15:0 supplementation in a group of young adults at risk for metabolic syndrome. The study will determine how well supplementation with C15:0 daily for 12 weeks is able to raise levels of C15:0 in the blood when compared to placebo. The study will also look for signs that increasing blood levels of C15:0 leads to changes in physiology.