(29-07-10) A diet loaded with antioxidant rich foods improves insulin resistance

by S. L. Baker, features writer


According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases (NIDDKD), insulin resistance is a condition in which the pancreas
eventually can't keep up with the body's demand for insulin (a hormone that
helps the body use glucose for energy). Eventually, an excess of glucose builds
up in the bloodstream -- and that sets the stage for type 2 diabetes.

New research just presented at the Endocrine Society's 92nd Annual Meeting,
held in San Diego, shows that natural antioxidants in the diet can be a
powerful way to improve insulin resistance -- even in people who are obese and
suffering from metabolic syndrome. A precursor of diabetes associated with
insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions (including
high blood pressure, elevated insulin levels, excess body fat around the waist
and abnormal cholesterol levels) that raise the risk of heart disease and
stroke, as well as diabetes.

"The beneficial effects of antioxidants are known, but we have revealed for
the first time one of their biological bases of action -- improving hormonal
action in obese subjects with the metabolic syndrome," lead researcher Antonio
Mancini, MD, an endocrinology researcher at Catholic University of the Sacred
Heart in Rome, Italy, said in a statement to the media.

Dr. Mancini and his fellow researchers investigated the effects of dietary
antioxidants on insulin resistance in 16 men and 13 women between 18 and 66
years of age. All the research subjects were obese and insulin-resistant but
had not yet developed full-blown diabetes. The study participants were randomly
assigned to one of four treatment groups. Then all groups were place on low-
calorie, Mediterranean-type diets averaging 1,500 calories daily and containing
only 25 percent of these calories from protein foods with the rest made up of
low-glycemic-index carbohydrates (carbs such as whole grains that don't cause a
quick rise in blood sugar).

However, while one group ate only this diet, the second group consumed the
same foods but also took the an oral medication that lowers blood glucose
called metformin (sold under the brand names Glucophage, Glucophage XR,
Glumetza, Fortamet, and Riomet). Groups three and four ate a Mediterranean
style diet, too, but theirs was enriched with extra helpings of fruits and
vegetables that are known to be loaded with antioxidants; group four was also
given metformin.

Even though all the research subjects in each group lost about the same amount
of weight, only the two groups consuming the high antioxidant diet (groups 3
and 4) had a significant decrease in insulin resistance. The latter group had
the best improvement based on an oral glucose tolerance test, according to the
scientists' report.

Although the researchers did not discuss the possibility, the ability of the
high antioxidant diet to greatly improve insulin resistance without any
medication is a hopeful indication that diets rich in natural antioxidants
alone may help many people faced with this pre-diabetic problem who can not
take -- or don't want to take -- the drug metformin. The medication's most
common side effects (which occur in one out of every three patients) are
nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, diarrhea and loss of appetite.

Dr. Mancini pointed out that there's evidence oxidative stress, which can
result in damage to blood particles and cells, plays a role in the metabolic
syndrome. And previous research has shown that antioxidants can prevent
oxidative damage to cells and sometimes even repair damage. Antioxidants, which
are found naturally in many foods including fruits, vegetables, legumes and
nuts, include vitamins E and C, selenium and carotenoids, such as beta-
carotene.

For more information:
http://www.endo-society.org/endo201...
http://www.naturalnews.com/antioxid...
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pu...
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