Nutrient patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors among Iranian adults: Tehran lipid and glucose study

The present study aimed to assess the relation between nutrient patterns and changes in adult anthropometric and cardiometabolic factors.

This study was conducted on 1637 adults participating in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (2005-2008), who were free of cardiovascular diseases and cancer and had completed dietary data. They were followed to the next survey (2008-2011). Dietary intakes were collected and nutrient patterns were obtained. Three year changes in anthropometric and cardiometabolic factors were measured.

Five nutrient patterns were extracted. The first pattern was characterized by "plant protein, thiamine, niacin, and minerals including phosphorus, zinc, copper, magnesium, manganese, and selenium". Animal protein, lactose, vitamin D, riboflavine, pantothenic acid, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc" were loaded in the second pattern. The third and fourth patterns were characterized by "vitamin K, fiber, calcium, iron, manganese, and potassium", and "high correlation with starch, thiamine and folate, and negative correlation with mono and poly unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E", respectively. The fifth pattern was high in Fructose, vitamins A, C, pyridoxine, and potassium. There was no association between nutrient patterns and 3-year changes in blood pressure and fasting blood glucose; whereas, per each quartile increment of the fifth pattern adjusted for potential confounders, triglyceride change was decreased [β = - 3.66, 95% CI (- 6.57, - 0.57); P for trend = 0.014].

Present study indicates that nutrient patterns may have an association with cardiometabolic factors, particularly a pattern rich in fructose, vitamins A, C, pyridoxine, and potassium which decreases triglyceride level.