A Possible Piece to the Diabetes Puzzle

The origination of Insulin Resistance Syndrome has increased at a rapid rate over the course of the 21st century. By definition according to the research article by Petersen and  Frøyland,  “it’s a central dysfunction of the insulin resistance syndrome characterized by abdominal obesity and defects in both lipid and glucose homeostasis, increasing the risk for developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, polycystic ovarian disease and certain types of cancer.” Shockingly, there has been an association of POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) and insulin resistance. In vivo, chronic exposure to low doses of POPs commonly found in many of our foods today, had an impairment of whole body insulin action and contributed to the development of abdominal obesity which can lead to metabolic syndrome. POPs have been found to accumulate themselves in farmed salmon and consumption leads to human exposure.1 This particular study fed rats a high fat (HF) diet using crude or refined fish oil from farmed Atlantic Salmon and investigated its metabolic impact for 28 days. Rats being fed high fat crude oil, [not refined] found a significant impact on alterations in lipid and insulin metabolism causing abdominal obesity, insulin resistance and hepatoststosis.1 This study was used to explain a potential reason for increased insulin resistance as a result of the POPs ability to down-regulate insulin-induced gene 1(Insig-1), which is activated by insulin to control cholesterol synthesis.1 To see the results go to this site .

For individuals who already have IRS, they can manage their condition with lifestyle modifications. Probiotics have been shown to help improve carbohydrate metabolism, fasting blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity and metabolic stress.2 Many of the carbohydrate containing food items that have live active cultures include fermented milk and vegetables. When supplementation of symbiotics is included in the diet it showed a significant reduction in abdominal adiposity, improved serum lipid levels and reduced metabolic stress.2 Omega-3 which is found in most of these fatty fish aid in the overall inflammatory response in the body and when consumed with a variety of foods can help with insulin spikes in the blood.2

Overall, this research is an interesting find and although the outcome discussed altered lipid and glucose metabolism, salmon is an excellent source of Omega-3 which is an anti-inflammatory to help with systemic stress. According to the current guidelines it's recommended to consume fish twice a week. For more information on what kind of healthy fats to choose please visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Website for more information!

References:  

1. Ruzzin J, Petersen R, Frøyland L, et al. Persistent Organic Pollutant Exposure Leads to Insulin Resistance Syndrome. Environmental Health Perspectives. April 2010;118(4):465-471. 

2. Sáez-Lara MJ, Robles-Sanchez C, Ruiz-Ojeda FJ, Plaza-Diaz J, Gil A. Effects of Probiotics and Synbiotics on Obesity, Insulin Resistance Syndrome, Type 2 Diabetes and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Review of Human Clinical Trials. Cifuentes A, ed. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2016;17(6):928. doi:10.3390/ijms17060928.