Dietary amino acid patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors among subjects with obesity; a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background The prevalence of obesity is a growing global public health concern. Certain dietary amino acids have been shown to have a potential therapeutic role in improving metabolic syndrome parameters and body composition in individuals with obesity. However, some amino acids have been linked to an increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the association between dietary amino acid patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with obesity. Methods This cross-sectional study included 335 participants with obesity (57.9% males and 41.5% females) from Tabriz and Tehran, Iran. The participants were between the ages of 20–50, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher, and free from certain medical conditions. The study examined participants’ general characteristics, conducted anthropometric assessments, dietary assessments, and biochemical assessments. The study also used principal component analysis to identify amino acid intake patterns and determined the association between these patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with obesity. Results Upon adjusting for potential confounders, the study found that individuals in the third tertiles of pattern 1 and 2 were more likely to have lower LDL levels (OR = 0.99 and 95% CI (0.98–0.99)) for both. Additionally, a significant decrease in total cholesterol was observed in the third tertiles of pattern 2 in model II (OR = 0.99, 95% CI (0.98–0.99)). These findings suggest a potential cardioprotective effect of these amino acid patterns in managing cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with obesity. Conclusions This study found that two identified amino acid patterns were associated with lower serum LDL and total cholesterol levels, while a third pattern was associated with higher serum triglycerides. The specific amino acids contributing to these patterns highlight the importance of targeted dietary interventions in managing cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with obesity.