Palmitic Acid
PA
Description
"Palmitic Acid" test evaluates how much of this saturated fat is circulating in your blood to assess diet and fat metabolism. It’s commonly used to investigate cardiovascular risk, insulin resistance, or inflammation. Your doctor may order this test if you have high cholesterol, weight concerns, or signs of metabolic dysfunction. Elevated levels often reflect a diet rich in saturated fats. Results help pinpoint dietary contributors. This test supports ongoing monitoring of cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Category
Fatty Acids
Procedure
Invasive
Sample Type
Blood – Whole Blood
Units
Percentage
Procedure Category
Blood Draw
Test Group
Fatty Acid Group
Test Group Description
Fatty Acid Group: Evaluates fatty acid levels, offering insights into lipid metabolism and associated health conditions.
Optimal Range
For All Individuals:
Conventional Unit: Not Available
SI Unit: Not Applicable
Normal Range
For All Individuals:
Conventional Unit: 17.00–28.00%
SI Unit: Not Applicable
Results That Differ From The Norm (Direct and Indirect Causes)
Increased levels may indicate:
Alcohol consumption
Chronic kidney disease
Genetic factors
High-processed food intake
Hyperlipidemia (High blood lipid levels)
Hypothyroidism (Underactive thyroid function)
Insulin resistance (Reduced responsiveness to insulin)
Metabolic syndrome (cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels)
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (Accumulation of fat in the liver)
Obesity
Physical inactivity
Type 2 diabetes (Elevated blood sugar levels)
Key Reasons For Testing
Dietary Assessment: Evaluates fat consumption and nutritional habits through palmitic acid levels.
Cardiovascular Risk: Links levels to heart health and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Metabolic Function: Reflects its role in energy production and lipid metabolism, aiding in metabolic health evaluation.
Inflammatory Marker: Indicates inflammation, associated with various inflammatory conditions.
Health Status Conditions It May Be Used To Assess
Currently, this test is not directly associated with any conditions listed on the Health Status page. However, it may be included as part of a broader set of tests linked to specific health conditions.
Some Prominent Medical Labs That May Offer This Test
Please note that this particular test has not been associated with any of the listed prominent medical labs. We recommend enquiring with your private physician or nearest hospital to determine where this specific test can be performed.
References
Important Note
Any medical procedure yielding results outside the norm may be directly or indirectly linked to the conditions outlined on this page. Various factors, including genetics, medication and supplement usage, recent illnesses, pregnancy, pre-test eating, smoking, and stress, can impact the test's outcome. Additionally, factors like false positives, false negatives, inaccurate analyses, and others can influence results.
Reference ranges, which help healthcare professionals interpret medical tests, may vary depending on age, gender, and other factors. They may also differ between laboratories due to variations in instruments and methods used. Optimal ranges are designed for preventive purposes, aiming to identify trends and potential risks early, while normal ranges reflect conventional laboratory values indicating no current disease or pathology. Your healthcare practitioner may have specific reasons for testing that deviate from the usual or may interpret results differently based on individual circumstances. Proper interpretation typically involves considering clinical findings and other diagnostic tests. Hence, it is crucial to provide your healthcare professionals with a comprehensive medical history, consult with them for result interpretation, and follow their guidance for potential re-testing or additional diagnostics.
Disclaimer
This content is provided solely for informative and educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Regarding the interpretation of their medical test results and/or specific health questions, it is recommended that all readers and viewers consult their physicians or other qualified health professionals. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse health effects that may result from reading or following the information in this educational content. Before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program, all viewers, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physician or health care practitioner.
Please note that while prominent lab names are included in this content, we cannot guarantee that these labs offer all the tests mentioned. For confirmation, individuals should contact the labs directly or consult their medical practitioners. The information provided reflects general knowledge at the time of publication and may not include recent updates or emerging research. Readers should verify details with qualified professionals to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate guidance.
[1] Poirier H, Degrace P, Niot I, Bernard A, Besnard P. Palmitic acid induces the expression of liver fatty acid-binding protein. Mol Cell Biochem. 2002;239(1-2):165-173.
[2] Calder PC. Functional roles of fatty acids and their effects on human health. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2015;39(1 Suppl):18S-32S.
[3] Fattore E, Fanelli R. Palm oil and palmitic acid: a review on cardiovascular effects and carcinogenicity. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013;64(5):648-659.
[4] de Souza RJ, Mente A, Maroleanu A, et al. Intake of saturated and trans unsaturated fatty acids and risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. BMJ. 2015;351:h3978.
[5] Zock PL, de Vries JH, Katan MB. Impact of myristic acid versus palmitic acid on serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in healthy women and men. Arterioscler Thromb. 1994;14(4):567-575.
[6] Choudhury N, Tan L, Truswell AS. Comparison of palm olein and olive oil: effects on plasma lipids and vitamin E in young adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;61(5):1043-1051.
[7] Menendez JA, Vellon L, Lupu R. Role of saturated fatty acids in the proliferation and apoptosis of cancer cells. Clin Transl Oncol. 2009;11(11):763-769.
[8] Siri-Tarino PW, Sun Q, Hu FB, Krauss RM. Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies evaluating the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91(3):535-546.
[9] Besnard P, Poirier H, Clément L, et al. Role of fatty acid-binding protein in the palmitic acid-induced expression of the liver fatty acid-binding protein gene in intestinal cells. Biochem J. 2004;377(1):95-103.
[10] van Aerde JE, Sauer PJ, Pencharz PB, et al. Fatty acid composition of dietary lipid influences the function and composition of pancreatic islets in neonatal pigs. J Nutr. 1994;124(2):181-190.
[11] Hodge AM, English DR, O’Dea K, Giles GG. Dietary patterns and abdominal obesity: a review of the epidemiologic evidence. Nutr Rev. 2007;65(2):101-114.
[12] Micha R, Mozaffarian D. Saturated fat and cardiometabolic risk factors, coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes: a fresh look at the evidence. Lipids. 2010;45(10):893-905.
[13] Wang Q, Holmes MV, Smith GD, Ala-Korpela M. Genetic support for a causal role of insulin resistance on coronary heart disease. Diabetologia. 2017;60(5):1148-1158.
[14] Riserus U, Willett WC, Hu FB. Dietary fats and prevention of type 2 diabetes. Prog Lipid Res. 2009;48(1):44-51.