Nutritional influences on inflammation and type 2 diabetes risk.
There is a clear role for inflammation in the development of type 2 diabetes and its associated co-morbidities. Circulating inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, sialic acid, and interleukin- 6 are all significant independent predictors of disease. A number of nutritional components are hypothesized to modulate inflammation, and hence impact on disease risk. The most extensively studied nutrients are the long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, evidence is also emerging with respect to whole grain or low glycemic index foods and antioxidant vitamins. Obesity, resulting from long-term dietary energy excess, is also strongly linked to raised inflammatory status and type 2 diabetes. To date, much of the evidence for the effect of nutrients or foods on disease risk has been based on epidemiological associations. However, the links among diet, inflammation, and type 2 diabetes are supported by some data from human dietary intervention trials and/or mechanistic studies in animals. Further research is required to quantify the precise role and refine the evidence base. However, the proposed "anti-inflammatory" strategies to tackle type 2 diabetes are broadly consistent with current public health nutrition guidelines: to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, to reduce saturated fat, to increase the proportion of less refined forms of carbohydrate, and to increase intake of fruits and vegetables.
MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Lucy.Browning@mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk
Lucy M
LM
Browning
Susan A
SA
Jebb
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D002097:C-Reactive Protein