The association of dietary patterns with endocannabinoids levels in overweight and obese women

Background: Higher levels of AEA and 2-AG the main arachidonic acid-derived endocannabinoids are frequently reported in overweight and obese individuals. A dietary approach to reduce endocannabinoid levels may be a safer. The relation between endocannabinoids and dietary patterns is poorly understood. This study was evaluated the AEA and 2-AG levels across dietary patterns quintiles in overweight and obese women. Methods: In this cross sectional study 183 overweight and obese female (19–50 years old) were recruited. The participants were interviewed, the anadamide and 2-AG levels were measured and the dietary patterns were assessed using a validated semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire. To extract the dietary patterns factor analysis was applied. The association between AEA and 2-AG levels and dietary patterns was analyzed by linear regression. Results: Three major dietary patterns including “western”, “healthy” and “traditional” were extracted. After adjusting for BMI, waist circumference and fat mass higher levels of AEA and 2-AG were observed in those who were in the highest quintile of the western pattern (P for trend <0.05). Also, in both unadjusted and adjusted model, significantly lower AEA and 2-AG levels were detected in women in the highest quintile of the healthy pattern (P for trend <0.01). Also, the association between AEA and 2- AG levels and traditional pattern became significant after controlling for confounders (P for trend <0.01). Conclusion: Regarding the lower levels of endocannabinoids in healthy dietary pattern, modification of the endocannabinoids tones by changes in diet can be a promising approach in prevention and treatment of obesity.