Saturated fats and risk of diabetes

Saturated fats and risk of diabetes. 

The abuse of saturated fats increases the risk of encountering diabetes and a recent study shows that also just a super fat meal is enough to reduce the sensitivity to insulin and change for the worse our metabolism.

Under accusation once again we find butter while the same study fully approves our beloved OLIVE OIL.

Saturated fats and risk of diabetes.

Why do we talk about diabetes if it is usually only related to sugar?

Well it is not just a matter of too much sugar, two recently published researches clarify that: eating in excess, for example indulging often and willingly in fast food or because instead of dressing with olive oil you prefer butter, considerably increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

The research says also that eating too much or too often in fast food which has clearly finished under accusation.

The first research on the Journal of Clinical Investigation by researchers of the German Centre for Diabetes Research, immediately blame burgers, chips/fries and foods rich in fats.

The research was carried out in a very simple manner: doctors gave some volunteers a glass of water or a beverage containing saturated fats in quantities similar to those of a double cheeseburgeer with bacon and french fries or two pizzas with salami, then they evaluated the insulin resistance and other parameters of the metabolism.

The result was somewhat disconcerting:

“Just a single “meal” with a high content of saturated fats is enough to reduce the capacity of action of insulin on cells and hence change to the worse the glucose metabolism,  favouring a resistance to the hormone that is the first step towards diabetes.”

As if that were not enough already a certain Michael Roden, responsible for the study explains:

“The liver accumulates immediately more fat and also the energy balance of the organ is changed.  The metabolic changes that we observed are similar to those typical of patients with type 2 diabetes or non-alcoholic steatosis, the so-called fatty liver which is associated also to a greater risk of diabetes. We were surprised to see such an evident effect already after only one “dose”, although high, of saturated fats”.

Roden also explained how they could experience these changes of metabolism in the liver, in the muscles and in the adipose tissue thanks to magnetic resonance, a non-invasive but precise method to “follow” the storage of sugar and fat and to be able to also evaluate the energy metabolism of the cells.

Roden:

“The insulin resistance induced by fats has led to an increase of sugar in the liver and a concomitant reduction of the absorption of glucose in the muscles, a mechanism that leads to raise your blood glucose and is typical of the pre-diabetes. Moreover, in the adipose tissue we recorded an increase of insulin resistance that leads to a higher release of fats in the blood, which in turn exacerbates the insulin resistance in a vicious circle; excess fat, finally, can encourage the emergence of hepatic steatosis. The healthy subjects can manage the impact of food with a high content of fat metabolism, but a regular diet rich in saturated fats may constitute a real problem and increase the risk of diabetes” .

SATURATED FATS AND RISK OF DIABETES BETTER OIL THAN BUTTER

Saturated fats and risk of diabetes are therefore closely connected and the same research has proved that it is preferable to use olive oil rather than butter.

Always a recent research has been able to verify following for four and a half years over 3300 people without diabetes but high cardiovascular risk that a high consumption of saturated fats increases the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Practically and more specifically with 12 grams of butter per day (the equivalent of a small walnut) the risk doubles; in general animal fats would be linked to an increased risk even if with some exceptions, seen that for example whole yogurt would be protective against diabetes.

The data confirms that the best diet is undoubtedly that of the Mediterranean type in order to stay healthy and prevent many chronic diseases. It is therefore okay to replace saturated fats and those of animal origin, in particular from red and preserved meats, with vegetable fats deriving from Olive oil and nuts. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grain cereals, nuts and olive oil that is short on red meat and desserts is the best to reduce the risk of encountering diabetes.

What can we say then? Yes to the mediterranean diet and if sometimes we wish to go English or American lets just remember about this research and not exaggerate!!!!!

Take a look at our tried and tested method: Anti-Diet