Citrus-derived Flavonoid Prevents Obesity, Study Suggests

[steven johnson]

So there is something to the cius diet.

ScienceDaily (July 14, 2009) — A flavonoid derived from citrus fruit has shown tremendous promise for preventing weight gain and other signs of metabolic syndrome which can lead to Type 2 Diabetes and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The study, led by Murray Huff of the Robarts Research Institute at The University of Western Ontario looked at a flavonoid (plant-based bioactive molecule) called naringenin.

In the study one group of mice was fed a high-fat (western) diet to induce the symptoms of metabolic syndrome. A second group was fed the exact same diet and treated with naringenin. Naringenin corrected the elevations in triglyceride and cholesterol, prevented the development of insulin resistance and completely normalized glucose metabolism. The researchers found it worked by genetically reprogramming the liver to burn up excess fat, rather than store it.




Citrus-derived Flavonoid Prevents Obesity, Study Suggests

[54anickel]

1. I'm having a hard time understanding how inducing the symptoms of

metabolic syndrome by feeding a high-fat diet can be compared to actual metabolic syndrome. From what I've read on the subject, science is still unsure of the actual cause of metabolic syndrome is. There are so many underlying processes that create the condition. They can't even agree to what exactly metabolic syndrome is. I haven't come across very many articles claiming that a high fat diet directly contributes to the development of insulin resistance. Did the untreated mice develop insulin resistance? Did they develop abnormal glucose metabolism? :shrug: Seems an interesting hypothesis based upon somewhat faulty assumptions....

[supernova]

2. traditionally, MS has been

induced because you continually eat highly processed carbs, producing a spike in your blood sugar.

For those who are suceptable, I think I'm among them, each exposure causes an ever harder response, i.e. you eat pasta, cake, what have you, and you have to produce more and more insulin to process the glucose spike. That is insulin resistance,

I've always understood insulin resistance to come from eating carbs, not fat. Though the state of being fat can bring it on because, (I think?) the ratio of fat:insulin is greater than in a thin person.

[54anickel]

3. That was my understanding as well. MS is believed to come from IR, which is usually is caused by

a diet high in refined, easily digested carbs. By feeding the mice high fat diets, are they REALLY simulating metabolic syndrome?

Sounds more like rodent abuse leads to fat mice which proves virtually nothing about metabolic syndrome but it sounds good, and keeps the fear of dietary fat alive and well. :hi: