Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-p9bg8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T12:15:30.143Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Dietary fat and insulin action in humans

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Bengt Vessby
Bengt Vessby*
Affiliation:
Unit for Clinical Nutrition Research, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Geriatrics, University of Uppsala, Box 609, SE-75125, Uppsala, Sweden
*
Corresponding author: B. Vessby, fax +46 18 177976, email [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

A high intake of fat may increase the risk of obesity. Obesity, especially abdominal obesity, is an important determinant of the risk of developing insulin resistance and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. It is suggested that a high proportion of fat in the diet is associated with impaired insulin sensitivity and an increased risk of developing diabetes, independent of obesity and body fat localization, and that this risk may be influenced by the type of fatty acids in the diet. Cross-sectional studies show significant relationships between the serum lipid fatty acid composition, which at least partly mirrors the quality of the fatty acids in the diet, and insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance, and disorders characterized by insulin resistance, are associated with a specific fatty acid pattern of the serum lipids with increased proportions of palmitic (16 : 0) and palmitoleic acids (16 : 1 n-7) and reduced levels of linoleic acid (18 : 2 n-6). The metabolism of linoleic acid seems to be disturbed with increased proportions of dihomo-gamma linolenic acid (20 : 3 n-6) and a reduced activity of the Δ5 desaturase, while the activities of the Δ9 and Δ6 desaturases appear to be increased. The skeletal muscle is the main determinant of insulin sensitivity. Several studies have shown that the fatty acid composition of the phosholipids of the skeletal muscle cell membranes is closely related to insulin sensitivity. An increased saturation of the membrane fatty acids and a reduced activity of Δ5 desaturase have been associated with insulin resistance. There are several possible mechanisms which could explain this relationship. The fatty acid composition of the lipids in serum and muscle is influenced by diet, but also by the degree of physical activity, genetic disposition, and possibly fetal undernutrition. However, controlled dietary intervention studies in humans investigating the effects of different types of fatty acids on insulin sensitivity have so far been negative.

Keywords

DietFatty acidsInsulin sensitivityObesityPalmitic acid5 desaturase
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 83 , Issue S1 , June 2000 , pp. S91 - S96
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2000

References

Andersson, A, Sjödin, A, Olsson, R & Vessby, B (1998) Effects of physical exercise on phospholipid fatty acid composition in skeletal muscle. Endocrinologi and Metabolism 37, E432-E438.Google Scholar
Annuzzi, G, Rivellese, A, Capaldo, BD, Marino, L, Marotta, G & Riccardi, G (1991) A controlled study on the effects of n-3 fatty acids on lipid and glucose metabolism in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Atherosclerosis 87, 65–73.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Astrup, A, Ryan, L, Grunwald, GK, Storgaard, M, Saris, W, Melanson, E & Hill, JO (2000) The role of dietary fat in body fatness: evidence from a preliminary meta-analysis of ad libitum low-fat dietary intervention. British Journal of Nutrition 83(Suppl. 1), S25-S32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ayre, KJ & Hulbert, AJ (1996) Dietary fatty acid profile influences the composition of skeletal muscle phospholipids in rats. Journal of Nutrition 126, 653–662.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Blundell, JE & Cooling, J (2000) Routes to obesity: phenotypes, food choices and activity. British Journal of Nutrition 83(Suppl. 1), S33-S38.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Boberg, M, Pollare, T, Siegbahn, A & Vessby, B (1992) Supplementation with n-3 fatty acids reduces triglycerides but increases PAI-1 in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. European Journal of Clinical Investigation 22, 645–650.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Borkman, M, Chisholm, DJ, Furler, SM, Storlien, LH, Kraegen, EW, Simons, LA & Chesterman, CN (1989) Effects of fish oil supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism in NIDDM. Diabetes 38, 1314–1319.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Borkman, M, Storlien, LH, Pan, DA, Jenkins, AB, Chisholm, DJ & Campbell, LB (1993) The relationship between insulin sensitivity and the fatty acid composition of skeletal-muscle phospholipids. New England Journal of Medicine 328, 238–244.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clarke, SD (2000) Polyunsaturated fatty acid regulation of gene transcription: a mechanism to improve energy balance and insulin resistance. British Journal of Nutrition 83(Suppl. 1), S59-S66.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Colditz, GA, Manson, JE, Stampfer, MJ, Rosner, B, Willett, WC & Seizer, FE (1992) Diet and risk of clinical diabetes in women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 55, 1018–1023.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
De Fronzo, RA, Tobin, JD & Andres, R (1979) Glucose clamp technique, a method for quantifying insulin secretion and resistance. American Journal of Physiology 237, 214–233.Google ScholarPubMed
Fasching, P, Ratheiser, K, Schneeweiss, B, Rohac, M, Nowotny, P & Waldhausl, W (1996) No effect of short-term dietary supplementation of saturated and poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids on insulin secretion and sensitivity in healthy men. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 40, 116–122.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Laserre, M, Mendy, F, Spielmann, D & Jacotot, B (1985) Effects of different dietary intake of essential fatty acids on C 20, 3 n-6 and C 20, 4 n-6 levels in human adults. Lipids 20, 227–233.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lillioja, S, Young, AA, Culter, CL, Ivy, JL, Abbott, WG, Zawadzki, JK, Yki-Jarvinen, H, Christin, L, Secomb, TW & Bogardus, C (1987) Skeletal muscle capillary density and fiber type are possible determinants of in vivo insulin resistance in man. Journal of Clinical Investigation 80, 415–424.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lissner, L, Heitmann, BL & Bengtsson, C (2000) Population studies of diet and obesity. British Journal of Nutrition 83(Suppl. 1), S21-S24.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lou, J, Rizkalla, SW, Vidal, H, Oppert, JM, Colas, C, Boussari, A, Gurre-Millo, M, Chapuis, AS, Chevalier, A, Durand, G & Slama, G (1998) Moderate intake of n-3 fatty acids for 2 months has no detrimental effect on glucose metabolism and could ameliorate the lipid profile in type 2 diabetic men. Results of a controlled study. Diabetes Care 21, 717–724.Google Scholar
Louheranta, AM, Turpeinen, AK, Schwab, US, Vidgren, HM, Parviainen, MT & Uusitupa, MI (1998) A high-stearic acid diet does not impair glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in healthy women. Metabolism 47, 529–534.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Louheranta, AM, Turpeinen, AK, Vidgren, HM, Schwab, US & Uusitupa, MI (1999) A high-trans fatty acid diet and insulin sensitivity in young healthy women. Metabolism 48, 870–875.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lovejoy, J & DiGirolamo, M (1992) Habitual dietary intake and insulin sensitivity in lean and obese adults. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 55, 1174–1179.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ma, J, Folsom, AR, Eckfelt, JH, Lewis, L, Chambless, LE (1995) Short- and long-term repeatability of fatty acid compositionof human plasma phospholipids and cholesterol esters. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 62, 572–578.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marshall, JA, Hamman, RF & Baxter, J (1991) High-fat, low carbohydrate diet and the etiology of non-insulin-dependent diabetes melltus. The San Luis Valley Diabetes Study. American Journal of Epidemiology 134, 590–603.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marshall, JA, Hoag, S, Shetterley, S & Hamman, RF (1994) Dietary fat redicts conversion from impaired glucose tolerance to NIDDM — The San Luis Valley Diabetes Study. Diabetes Care 17, 50–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marshall, JA, Bessesen, SH & Hamman, RF (1997) High saturated fat and low starch and fibre are are associated with hyperinsulinaemia in a non-diabetic population — The San Luis Valley Diabetes Study. Diabetologia 40, 430–438.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mayer, EJ, Newman, B, Quesenberry, CP & Selby, JV (1993) Usual dietary fat intake and insulin concentrations in healthy women twins. Diabetes Care 16, 1459–1469.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mayer-Davis, J, Monaco, JH, Hoen, HM, Carmichael, S, Vitolins, MZ, Rewers, MJ, Haffner, SM, Ayad, MF, Bergman, RN & Karter, AJ (1997) Dietary fat and insulin sensitivity in a triethnic population The role obesitas. The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS). American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 65, 79–87.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McManus, RM, Jumpson, J, Finegood, DT, Clandinin, MT & Ryan, EA (1996) A comparison of the effects of n-3 fatty acids from linseed oil and fish oil in well controlled type II diabetes. Diabetes Care 19, 463–476.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nikkari, T, Lukkainen, P, Pietinen, P & Puska, P (1995) Fatty acid composition of serum lipid fractions in relation to gender and quality of dietary fat. Annals of Medicine 27, 491–498.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ohlsson, LO, Larsson, B, Svärdsudd, K, Welin, L, Eriksson, H, Wilhelmsen, L, Björntorp, P & Tibblin, G (1985) The influence of body fat distribution on the incidence of diabetes mellitus, 13.5 year follow-up of the participants in the study of men born 1913. Diabetes 34, 1055–1058.Google Scholar
Öhrvall, M, Berglund, L, Salminen, I, Lithell, H, Aro, A & Vessby, B (1996) The serum cholesterol ester fatty acid composition but not the serum concentration of alpha tocopherol predicts the development of myocardial infarction in 50-year-old men, 19 years follow up. Atherosclerosis 127, 65–71.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Öhrvall, M, Sundlöf, G & Vessby, B (1996) Gamma, but not alpha, tocopherol levels in serum are reduced in coronary heart disease patients. Journal of Internal Medicine 239, 111–117.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ozanne, SE, Martensz, ND, Petry, CJ, Loizou, CL & Hales, CN (1998) Maternal low protein diet in rats programmes fatty acid desaturase activities in the offspring. Diabetologia 41, 1337–1342.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pan, DA, Lillioja, S, Milner, MR, Kriketos, AD, Baur, LA, Bogardus, C & Storlien, LH (1995) Skeletal muscle membrane lipid composition is related to adiposity and insulin action. Journal of Clinical Investigation 96, 2802–2808.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Parker, DR, Weiss, ST, Troisi, R, Cassano, PA, Vokones, PS & Landsberg, L (1993) Relationship of dietary saturated fatty acids and body habitus to serum insulin concentrations, the normative aging study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 58, 129–136.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Salomaa, V, Ahola, I, Toumilehto, J, Aro, A, Pietinen, P, Korhonen, PJ, Pentilä, I (1990) Fatty acid compsition of serum cholesterol esters in different degree of glucose intolerance. Metabolism 39, 1285–1291.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schwab, US, Niskanen, LK, Maliranta, HM, Savolainen, MJ, Kesaniemi, YA & Uusitupa, MI (1995) Lauric and palmitic acid-enriched diets have minimal impact on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and glucose metabolism in healthy women. Journal of Nutrition 125, 466–473.Google Scholar
Steil, GM, Volund, A, Kahn, SE & Bergman, RN (1993) Reduced sample number for calculation of insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness from the minimal model. Suitability for use in population studies. Diabetes 42, 250–256.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Storlien, LH, Pan, DA, Kriketos, AD, Connor, JO, Caterson, ID, Coney, GJ, Jenkins, AB & Baur, LA (1996) Skeletal muscle membrane lipids and insulin resistance. Lipids 31, S261-S265.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Toft, I, Bonaa, K, Ingebretsen, OC, Nordoy, A & Jenssen, T (1995) Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on glucose homeostasis and blood pressure in essential hypertension. A randomized, controlled trial. Annals of Internal Medicine 123, 911–918.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tsunehara, CH, Leonetti, DL & Fujimoto, WY (1991) Animal fat and cholesterol intake is high in men with IGT progressing to NIDDM. Diabetes40 (Suppl.), 427A (abstr.)Google Scholar
Van Staveren, WA, Deurenberg, P, Katan, MB, Durema, J, de Groot, LCPGM & Hoffmans, MDAF (1986) Validity of the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous adipose tissue microbiopsies as an estimate of the diet of separate individuals. American Journal of Epidemiology 123, 455–463.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vessby, B, Aro, A, Skarfors, E, Berglund, L, Salminen, I & Lithell, H (1994) The risk to develop NIDDM is related to the fatty acid composition of the serum cholesterol esters. Diabetes 43, 1353–1357.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vessby, B, Tengblad, S & Lithell, H (1994) The insulin sensitivity is related to the fattty acid composition of the serum lipids and the skeletal muscle phospholipids in 70 year old men. Diabetologia 37, 1044–1050.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vessby, B (1999) Effects of dietary fat on insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion — the KANWU study. Diabetologia 42(Suppl. 1), A46.Google Scholar
Wolk, A, Vessby, B, Ljung, H & Barrefors, P (1998) Evaluation of a biologic marker of dairy fat intake. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 68, 291–295.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed