Lignoceric Acid
Also known as: Lignoceric acid, tetracosanoic acid, C24:0
Overview
Lignoceric acid, also known as tetracosanoic acid (C24:0), is a saturated very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA). It is naturally present in small quantities in various fats and oils, including wood tar, peanut oil, and brain lipids, where it serves as a component of sphingolipids and ceramides crucial for nervous system structure. Unlike shorter-chain saturated fatty acids, lignoceric acid is less common in typical dietary fats due to its 24-carbon chain length. Its primary significance in research lies in its role in lipid metabolism, neurological function, and its implication in certain metabolic disorders involving VLCFAs, such as adrenoleukodystrophy. It is not recognized or utilized as a dietary supplement ingredient, and research specifically on its supplementation effects in humans is virtually non-existent.
Benefits
There are no established or evidence-based benefits for lignoceric acid supplementation. Current scientific literature does not contain systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or high-quality randomized controlled trials investigating the health benefits of lignoceric acid when taken as a supplement. While other fatty acids, such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and linoleic acid, have been extensively studied for various health effects, these are distinct unsaturated fatty acids and their findings do not apply to lignoceric acid. Lignoceric acid is primarily studied as a biomarker or as a structural component in metabolic and neurological research, rather than for any direct therapeutic or beneficial effects through supplementation.
How it works
Lignoceric acid functions primarily as a structural component within the body, particularly in the nervous system. It is incorporated into complex lipids such as sphingolipids and ceramides, which are essential constituents of cell membranes. Due to its very long carbon chain, lignoceric acid is metabolized via peroxisomal beta-oxidation, a specialized pathway for breaking down VLCFAs. In certain metabolic disorders, such as adrenoleukodystrophy, there is an abnormal accumulation of lignoceric acid and other VLCFAs due to impaired peroxisomal function. There is no known mechanism of action related to direct pharmacological targets or specific biological pathways that would suggest a beneficial role for lignoceric acid as a dietary supplement.
Side effects
There is no clinical safety data available regarding lignoceric acid supplementation, as it is not used as a supplement. As a component of normal dietary fats, lignoceric acid is generally considered safe in the small amounts naturally consumed. However, abnormal accumulation of lignoceric acid and other very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) is a hallmark of certain pathological conditions, such as adrenoleukodystrophy, where it contributes to severe neurological damage. This accumulation is due to metabolic dysfunction, not related to dietary intake or supplementation. There are no known drug interactions or contraindications specifically associated with lignoceric acid supplementation, primarily because it is not a recognized supplement ingredient and its physiological role is mainly structural and metabolic within normal dietary contexts.
Dosage
There are no established dosing guidelines for lignoceric acid supplementation, as it is not commercially available or studied as a dietary supplement ingredient. Lignoceric acid is consumed naturally in small amounts as part of a regular diet through various fats and oils. Given the lack of research on its supplemental use and the potential for adverse effects associated with its abnormal accumulation in metabolic disorders, there is no recommended dosage for lignoceric acid. Any attempt to supplement with lignoceric acid would be unsupported by scientific evidence and potentially risky.
FAQs
Is lignoceric acid used as a supplement?
No, lignoceric acid is not used as a dietary supplement ingredient. There is no scientific evidence to support its use as a supplement.
Does lignoceric acid have health benefits?
There is no evidence supporting direct health benefits from lignoceric acid supplementation. It is primarily studied for its role in lipid metabolism and neurological conditions.
Is lignoceric acid related to other fatty acids like CLA or linoleic acid?
No, lignoceric acid is a saturated very long-chain fatty acid, distinct from unsaturated fatty acids like conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and linoleic acid, which have different biological effects.
Research Sources
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0216187 – This study focuses on the formation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in ruminants, which is unrelated to lignoceric acid. It highlights the metabolic pathways of CLA, a different type of fatty acid, and does not provide information on lignoceric acid supplementation or its effects.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37671495/ – This meta-analysis investigates the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation on body composition. It concludes that CLA may have modest effects on reducing body fat, but this research pertains to CLA, not lignoceric acid, which is a distinct fatty acid.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32020162/ – This research explores the association between linoleic acid intake and mortality and cardiovascular risk. It suggests potential benefits of linoleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid, but these findings are not applicable to lignoceric acid, a saturated very long-chain fatty acid.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-017-0048-z – This article discusses the effects of linoleic acid on inflammation and metabolic health. It provides insights into the biological roles of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, but does not offer information or evidence regarding lignoceric acid or its potential as a supplement.
- https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/44/9/2173/138865/Dietary-Intake-of-Linoleic-Acid-Its-Concentrations – This study examines the dietary intake of linoleic acid and its concentrations in relation to diabetes. It focuses on the role of linoleic acid in metabolic health, which is distinct from lignoceric acid, and does not provide any data on lignoceric acid supplementation.
- https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2017/fo/c7fo00433h – This research investigates the impact of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on various health markers. It contributes to the understanding of CLA's effects, but like the other cited sources, it does not provide any information or evidence related to lignoceric acid as a supplement.
