A Mediterranean and a high-carbohydrate diet improve glucose metabolism in healthy young persons

Abstract

Insulin resistance, or the relative inability of insulin to facilitate the disposal of glucose in tissues, is considered to be a risk factor for both diabetes and coronary heart disease (CHD). In 1988 ªSyndrome Xº was [1] first described as a cluster of pathophysiologic phenomena including insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity.The relation between diet and chronic disease is well established, although there is debate over the details of this relation. In general, high intakes of dietary fat have been associated with obesity and its comorbid conditions, including heart disease and diabetes [2]. All these factors are related to the globalization of the ªWesternº lifestyle and dietary habits. Insulin resistance usually precedes the diagnosis of Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus by Diabetologia (2001) Abstract Aims/hypothesis. Insulin resistance usually precedes the diagnosis of Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. However, in most patients, the clinical expression of the disease could be prevented by dietary and lifestyle changes. We investigated the effects of a diet enriched in monounsaturated fatty acids (Mediterranean diet) and a low fat, high-carbohydrate diet on in vivo and in vitro glucose metabolism in 59 young subjects (30 men and 29 women). Methods. We carried out an intervention dietary study with a saturated fat phase and two randomized-crossover dietary periods: a high-carbohydrate diet and a Mediterranean diet for 28 days each. We analysed the plasma lipoproteins fractions, free fatty acids, insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in isolated monocytes at the end of the three dietary periods.Results. In comparison to the saturated fat diet, the CHO and Mediterranean diets induced a decrease of LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001) and HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001). Steady-state plasma glucose decreased (p = 0.023) and basal and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxiglucose uptake in peripheral monocytes increased in both diets (CHO and Mediterranean), (p = 0.007) indicating an improvement in insulin sensitivity. Fasting free fatty acids plasma values were correlated positively with steady state plasma glucose (r = 0.45; p < 0.0001). In addition, there was an inverse correlation between the mean glucose of the steady state plasma glucose period and logarithmic values of basal (r = ±0.34; p = 0.003) and insulin stimulated glucose uptake in monocytes (r = ±0.32; p = 0.006). Conclusion/interpretation. Isocaloric substitution of carbohydrates and monounsaturated fatty acids for saturated fatty acids improved insulin sensitivity in vivo and in vitro, with an increase in glucose disposal. Both diets are an adequate alternatives for improving glucose metabolism in healthy young men and women. [Diabetologia (2001

Body composition changes and cardiometabolic benefits of a balanced Italian Mediterranean Diet in obese patients with metabolic syndrome

“…In several studies, whole grain and fiber intake was inversely associated with a lower incidence of the MS [26] and with improved insulin sensitivity, lower fasting and 2-h plasma insulin concentrations, lower total and LDL cholesterol [27].…”

Serum phospholipid and cholesteryl ester fatty acids and estimated desaturase activities are related to overweight and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents

“…14,15,45 In summary, this study shows that adverse patterns of fatty acids and DA are already associated with overweight and insulin resistance before adulthood. Results of observational and clinical studies conducted in humans have shown that a diet high in total or saturated fat is associated with abnormal glucose concentrations 3,46,47 or insulin resistance, 3,48 whereas diets enriched in monounsaturated fat 39,49 or Serum fatty acids and CVD risk factors in overweight adolescents LM Steffen et al linoleic acid 50 improve insulin sensitivity. Beneficial changes in the CE fatty acid profile and DA ratios were related to improved insulin sensitivity in a population at risk for type 2 diabetes.…”

Mediterranean Diet, Kidney Function, and Mortality in Men with CKD

“…Strong evidence exists on the beneficial effects of a Mediterranean diet for incidence of several chronic diseases and reduced risk of mortality (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). Mechanisms underlying these relationships include benefits of this dietary pattern on the cardiometabolic profile (e.g., adiposity, BP, blood lipids, serum fasting glucose, insulin resistance, and inflammation [20,21]) as well as on metabolic acidosis (22,23).…”