Dietary sphingolipids and milk fat globule membrane: emerging roles in cardiometabolic health and muscle function

Sphingolipids (SPLs) are bioactive lipids that play a critical role in metabolic health. Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a rich source of SPLs, and emerging evidence suggests that dietary SPLs and MFGM contribute to cardiometabolic health. Dietary SPLs, including MFGM, have been shown to reduce intestinal lipid absorption, improve hepatic lipid metabolism, and modulate cholesterol transport. The ceramide (Cer)/sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) ratio, rather than total plasma Cer levels, appears to be a key determinant of their effects on insulin resistance, atherosclerosis. myogenesis, and neuromuscular function. Although dietary SPLs, particularly MFGM-derived lipids, offer promising cardiometabolic and muscle health benefits, variations in SPL source, structure, acyl chain length, and phosphorylation state influence their effects. Further research is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms, optimize dosage, and establish long-term efficacy.