Martha A. Belury

Scope Higher circulating linoleic acid (LA) and muscle‐derived tetralinoleoyl‐cardiolipin (LA 4 CL) are each associated with decreased cardiometabolic disease risk. Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs with low LA 4 CL. Whether LA‐rich oil fortification can increase LA 4 CL in humans is unknown. The aims of this study are to determine whether dietary fortification with LA‐rich oil for 2 weeks increases: 1) LA in plasma, erythrocytes, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC); and 2) LA 4 CL in PBMC in adults. Methods and results In this randomized controlled trial, adults are instructed to consume one cookie per day delivering 10 g grapeseed (LA‐cookie, N = 42) or high oleate (OA) safflower (OA‐cookie, N = 42) oil. In the LA‐cookie group, LA increases in plasma, erythrocyte, and PBMC by 6%, 7%, and 10% respectively. PBMC and erythrocyte OA increase by 7% and 4% in the OA‐cookie group but is unchanged in the plasma. PBMC LA 4 CL increases (5%) while LA 3 OA 1 CL decreases (7%) in the LA‐cookie group but are unaltered in the OA‐cookie group. Conclusions LA‐rich oil fortification increases while OA‐oil has no effect on LA 4 CL in adults. Because LA‐rich oil fortification reduces cardiometabolic disease risk and increases LA 4 CL, determining whether mitochondrial dysfunction is repaired through dietary fortification is warranted.