Metabolic health

SCD-16 index (stearoyl-CoA desaturase)

Palmitoleic to palmitic acid ratio

Included in Complete.

Tracking how your body turns saturated into monounsaturated fat.

The SCD-16 index estimates the activity of stearoyl-CoA desaturase, an enzyme that turns saturated fats into monounsaturated ones, the type that dominates olive oil. It's usually calculated as palmitoleic acid divided by palmitic acid, though formulas can vary by lab.

Researchers use it to study metabolism and body weight.

Palmitoleic acid comes partly from food and partly from the body's own production from palmitic acid. That makes this ratio a rough, indirect window into fat-making activity.

In some studies, a higher SCD-16 index has been associated with higher body mass index. A 2013 review noted that much of what's known about this enzyme comes from animal studies, with results that are sometimes confusing. It's best treated as a research-grade marker.

Questions

What does a higher SCD-16 index mean?

It may suggest more conversion of saturated into monounsaturated fat, which some studies have associated with higher body weight. Diet affects the ratio too, so it's best read alongside triglycerides, blood sugar markers, and your eating habits.

How is it different from the SCD-18 index?

Both estimate the same enzyme using different fatty acid pairs. SCD-16 compares palmitoleic acid with palmitic acid, while SCD-18 compares oleic acid with stearic acid. In one study, SCD-16 was more consistent across different blood fractions.

Sources and references