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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #241738
Title: Diabetes risk: antioxidants or lifestyle?

Author
item MEYDANI, MOHSEN - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item AZZI, ANGELO - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University

Submitted to: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/10/2009
Publication Date: 7/15/2009
Citation: Meydani, M., Azzi, A. 2009. Diabetes risk: antioxidants or lifestyle?. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 90:253-254.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The global prevalence of type-2 diabetes and its associated cardiovascular disease is increasing, possibly due to the present pandemic of obesity and overweight. It is projected that by the year 2025, more than 300 million people worldwide will have diabetes. In the United States, between the two NHANES surveys conducted in 1976 and 1994, the number of people with diabetes almost doubled in less than two decades. Obesity, overweight, and physical inactivity are regarded to be the major contributing factors for the development of this disease. Various strategies (diet, exercise, drugs, and weight reduction) have been developed to reduce the risk of developing diabetes and its associated cardiovascular complications. Several potential mechanisms are responsible for the disorders associated with diabetes such as insulin resistance, beta-cell dysfunction, insulin production and secretion. These disorders have been associated with increased levels of oxidants and reduced levels of natural antioxidants. Focusing on the simple paradigm oxidants and antioxidants may divert attention from other dietary and exercise interventions that apparently are much more effective than taking high does of antioxidant supplements, singly or in combination. It is important to emphasize the role of chronic inflammation associated with overweight, obesity and abdominal adiposity instead of only one of its consequences, i.e., reactive oxygen species (ROS). The elimination of reactive oxygen species by supplemental antioxidants may not eliminate the main cause of the problem, i.e. chronic inflammation. Large waist circumferences and high BMI are reported to be powerful independent predictors of type-2 diabetes in US women. Therefore, reduction of body weight and fat by dieting and exercise has been proven to be more beneficial and practical than antioxidants to reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes and its associated cardiovascular complications.