Blood Fatty Acid Profile Linked to Bone Growth in Children & Adolescents
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland reveals a connection between the composition of fatty acids in blood and bone mineral density development during childhood and adolescence. Researchers followed 480 children (227 girls and 253 boys) over an eight-year period,finding that specific fatty acids circulating in the blood could predict changes in bone density. The findings, published in the journal of Bone and Mineral Research, suggest that fatty acid metabolism plays a significant role in healthy bone development.
The research demonstrated that higher levels of arachidonic acid were associated with increased bone density during the study period. Furthermore, increased activity of enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism, specifically delta-6 desaturase, also correlated with higher bone density. Conversely,a greater proportion of linolic acid in the blood was linked to lower bone density.
Researchers emphasize that simply categorizing fatty acids into broad groups (saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated) isn’t sufficient for understanding their impact on bone health. individual fatty acids within these groups can have differing effects. The study also acknowledges that muscle and fat mass contribute to these observed associations.
“This is the first study to demonstrate that the fatty acid composition of the blood in childhood can predict the development of bone density into adolescence,” stated Professor Timo Lakka, Director of the PANIC study. “Our results indicate that fatty acid metabolism is an important factor in the healthy development of bones.”
Associate Professor Sonja Soininen, responsible for the bone health section of the study, highlighted the complexity of the findings. “Interestingly,not all fatty acids within the same group are associated with bone health in the same way – some appear to be positively associated with bone development,while others are linked to less optimal outcomes. This reflects the complexity of metabolism and its significance for bone development.”
The study utilized data from the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) study, a long-term investigation initiated in 2007. Blood samples were analyzed using gas chromatography to measure fatty acid levels in plasma phospholipids, while bone density and body composition were assessed using a DXA device. The PANIC study, which began with over 500 children, is currently in its 16-year follow-up phase, continuing until the end of 2026.
These results provide new insights into the relationship between fatty acid metabolism and bone development in children and may inform future nutritional strategies aimed at promoting bone health.
Source: University of Eastern Finland (UEF Viestintä). https://www.uef.fi/en/article/fatty-acid-composition-of-blood-predicts-bone-density-from-childhood-to-adolescence
Journal Reference: Lakka, T. A., et al. (2025). Plasma fatty acid composition predicts bone mineral accrual from childhood to adolescence: the PANIC study.Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. https://doi.org/10.1093/jbmr/zjaf104
