Antioxidant Food Improves Insulin Resistance

Diet that is rich in antioxidants improves the performance of insulin on obese people. It also enhances the performance of the drug metformin as claimed by an Italian medical group.

We are familiar with the useful effects of antioxidants on our body but the study found out that it improves hormones among stout people suffering from metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is one of the many risk factors for developing diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. People suffering from the syndrome cannot use the full potential of insulin present in their body. Insulin is the hormone that is responsible for regulating the blood sugar level in the body.

Antonio Mancini, MD, an endocrinology researcher at Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome claimed that oxidative stress plays a part in metabolic syndrome. Oxidative stress is a biochemical means that can damage the blood particles and cells which lead to an imbalance between unwanted oxidants and reduce antioxidants. It also leads to early aging.

Antioxidants are normally found in fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts, include vitamins E and C, selenium and beta-carotene. Earlier researchers proves that antioxidants are vital for preventing oxidative damage to cells and also contributes to repairing damage cells as well.

Mancini, together with his friend studied the effects of dietary antioxidants on insulin resistance with the help from MIUR, the Italian Department for University and Research. The participants are 16 men and 13 women, ages 18 to 66 years who are fat and is unaffected by insulin but were not diagnosed as diabetics.

The participants were then distributed into four groups. Each group was recommended to consume only 1,500 calories daily that contains 25% protein food and the rest are all carbohydrates. Group A consume the suggested diet while group B consumed the same diet and took metformin. Group C and D took a diet rich in antioxidant with 800 to 1000 milligrams a day of fruits and vegetables but group D took metformin aside from the compulsory diet.

All the groups lose weight but only Group C and D had a decrease on insulin resistance. Group D shows the best improvement since they are given a fruit and vegetable diet combined with metformin.

Subjects never showed any side effect from the diet. Mancini believes that 800 to 1,000 milligrams a day of fruits and vegetable diet is just safe. It is the safe amount of fruit and vegetable that can be taken in one day.

I come from a diabetes prone family. Both my father and my brother have already died because they are diabetics. In my quest to know more about diabetes and somehow fight the dreaded disease. I have started a blog entitled "Diabetics Info". This has been my online journal of my experience and research about diabetes.

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