Margaric acid is also known as heptadecanoic acid. It is a 17-carbon saturated fatty acid (17:0). Food sources mainly include milk and dairy products, though it can be endogenously made as well.
Most research in fatty acid metabolism has focused on even-chain fatty acids since they represent >99% of total human lipid concentration. For years, it had been concluded that odd chain saturated fatty acids (OCSFAs) were of little significance and used only as internal standards in laboratory methodology. However, there is now a realization that they are, in fact, relevant and important physiologically.
OCS-FAs mainly originate from dairy fat since microbiome fermentation in ruminant animals is a primary source of production. The human body can also synthesize them by elongating propionic acid, a short chain fatty acid formed in the microbiome. New research is showing they may also be formed by shortening VLCFAs by removing carbon molecules using α-oxidation. Metabolism of OCS-FAs is a bit different than even-numbered chained fatty acids. Both odd and even chain fatty acids undergo oxidation, though OCS-FAs produce a molecule of propionyl-CoA and a molecule of acetyl-CoA instead of two acetyl-CoAs. Propionyl-CoA requires a vitamin B12-dependent enzyme to be converted into succinyl-CoA and used in the citric acid cycle. It should be noted that the microbiome is not the only source for the OCS-FA precursor propionate. Endogenous propionate can be produced by the degradation of some amino acids, which can then lead to OCS-FA production.
Several epidemiologic studies show a positive association between OCS-FA and reduced risk for inflammation, cardiometabolic disease, multiple sclerosis, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. They are also being studied as adjuvant therapies in cancer due to their cell signaling properties which induce targeted apoptosis. Additionally, it has been found that OCS-FAs increase membrane fluidity more than PUFAs, and they are being studied as a form of treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
References:
- Jenkins B, West JA, Koulman A. A review of odd-chain fatty acid metabolism and the role of pentadecanoic acid (C15: 0) and heptadecanoic acid (C17: 0) in health and disease. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2015;20(2):2425-2444.
- Pfeuffer M, Jaudszus A. Pentadecanoic and Heptadecanoic Acids: Multifaceted Odd-Chain Fatty Acids. Advances in Nutrition. 2016;7(4):730-734.
- McKee T, McKee J. Biochemistry: The molecular basis of life. 5th. New York: Oxford University Press; 2011.
- To NB, Nguyen YT-K, Moon JY, Ediriweera MK, Cho SK. Pentadecanoic Acid, an Odd-Chain Fatty Acid, Suppresses the Stemness of MCF-7/SC Human Breast Cancer StemLike Cells through JAK2/STAT3 Signaling. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1663.
- Huang L, Lin J-s, Aris IM, Yang G, Chen W-Q, Li L-J. Circulating saturated fatty acids and incident type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2019;11(5):998.
- Venn-Watson S, Lumpkin R, Dennis EA. Efficacy of dietary odd-chain saturated fatty acid pentadecanoic acid parallels broad associated health benefits in humans: could it be essential? Scientific Reports. 2020;10(1):1-14.
- Weitkunat K, Schumann S, Nickel D, et al. Odd-chain fatty acids as a biomarker for dietary fiber intake: a novel pathway for endogenous production from propionate. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2017;105(6):1544- 1551.
Decreased dietary intake of dairy products and fiber may contribute to low levels. As noted above, literature is evolving as to their health benefits, and lower levels have been associated with risk for cardiometabolic diseases, inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
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The bacteria in the gut of ruminants (grazing animals like cows and sheep) produce large amounts of propionate, which is absorbed and enters the metabolism of the animal. High intake of animal and dairy products favor high levels of fatty acids such as Margaricacid (=heptadecanoic acid).
Alternatively, it is possible that the bacteria in the human gut could produce sufficient amounts of propionate to lead to elevation in the odd-carbon fatty acids. This would only occur under conditions of significant gut dysbiosis.
Carnitine is required for fatty acid oxidation. In carnitine insufficiency, fatty acids are oxidized via an omega oxidation pathway that creates odd chain units. Therefore, odd chain fatty acid accumulation may indicate carnitine deficiency and the need for carnitine supplementation.
The odd numbered fatty acids containing 15, 17, 19, or 21 carbon atoms (heptadecanoic acid, nonadecanoic acid, tricosanoic acid, pentadecanoic acid) accumulate in vitamin B12 deficiency.
Possible treatment:
– Follow a whole foods plant-based diet.
– Vitamin B12
– Carnitine
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% Omega 3s, % Omega 6s, % Omega 9s, % Saturated Fats, 8-OHdG (urine), a-Linolenic, AA / EPA, AA/EPA, Arachidic, Arachidonic, Arsenic (whole blood), Behenic, Cadmium (whole blood), Coenzyme Q10, Ubiquinone (serum), Copper (plasma), Dihomo-g-linolenic, Docosahexaenoic, Docosapentaenoic, Docosatetraenoic, Eicosadienoic, Eicosapentaenoic, Elaidic, EPA/DGLA, g-Linolenic, Glutathione (whole blood), Heptadecanoic, LA/DGLA, Lead (whole blood), Lignoceric, Linoleic, Linoleic / DGLA, Lipid Peroxides (urine), Magnesium (RBC), Manganese (whole blood), Margaric, Mercury (whole blood), Nervonic, Oleic, Omega 3 Index, Omega 6s / Omega 3s, Omega-3 Index, Omega-6/Omega-3, Palmitic, Palmitoleic, Pentadecanoic, Potassium (RBC), Selenium (whole blood), Stearic, Stearic/Oleic, Tin (whole blood), Tricosanoic, Vaccenic, Zinc (plasma)
