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THE IMPACT OF ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
ON THE AGING PROCESS (3)
Rashid Buttar, D. O. and Andrew Halpner, Ph. D.
EFAs and insulin resistance
Research has shown the significance of the polyunsaturated omega-3 FAs in the maintenance of cellular membrane fluidity, and the resulting insulin receptor responsiveness. The high prevalence of diabetes and insulin resistance in the Pima Indians of Arizona is an excellent example of how EFAs affect cell membranes, and ultimately the clinical progression of type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM]).
Type 2 diabetes has been termed "adult-onset diabetes," although it is now being diagnosed in children throughout the United States. It usually develops due to dietary and sedentary factors. Type 2 diabetes is not due to a lack of insulin. Rather, it is a consequence of insulin insensitivity, or perhaps more appropriately, insulin resistance. If insulin levels are measured in these patients, they are found to be significantly higher than normally expected. Yet, the glucose levels in these patients are normal to borderline, and actually represent a compensated glucose level.
What actually occurs is that the body registers higher glucose levels, and interprets this incorrectly as not having sufficient insulin. The body attempts to compensate for the higher levels of circulating glucose by increasing insulin output. It tries to use the additional insulin to drive glucose into the cells, in order to reduce glucose levels in the bloodstream.
Temporarily, this higher insulin output works; it effectively pushes the excess glucose into the cells and decreases serum glucose levels. However, although glucose levels may be normal, insulin levels are high due to the compensatory aspect. Eventually, the body's ability to produce insulin is maximized, and the pancreas can no longer compensate by increasing insulin output. It is at this point that the clinician usually begins to observe serum glucose levels increasing.
The primary problem, however, is not the increasing levels of glucose. Rather, it is the resultant increased need for insulin due to insulin resistance. Therefore, it is actually possible to screen for diabetes by simply measuring insulin levels. If insulin levels are high, then the body is "resisting" the effects of insulin. The disease process is usually progressive unless insulin resistance is recognized and appropriate treatment initiated.
Problem diets
The diets of insulin-resistant patients are typically high in simple carbohydrates. Due to their sedentary lifestyle, the carbohydrates these patients ingest are not utilized and eventually get stored as fat. This explains why patients with type 2 diabetes are usually found to be obese.
Furthermore, insulin-resistant patients frequently eat an excess of fried foods (e. g., french fries, hamburgers) and fat. Fried foods are usually prepared in oils from the omega-6 FA family, or from animal fats. Higher consumption of omega-6 FAs leads to a high-er n-6 (omega-6) to n-3 (omega-3) fatty acid ratio. The ratio should ideally be 1: 1, or at least 4: 1. However, the current ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 FAs seen in modern-day society can be as high as 40: 1.
Impact of omega-3 FAs on cell membranes
Omega-3 FAs of a specific type are known to increase the cell membrane sensitivity to the effects of insulin. In contrast, omega-6 FAs have been found to increase the resistance of the cell membrane to the effects of insulin.
One study focused on the modification of omega-3 FAs in the diet, and the resulting effect on red cell membranes. Researchers found that this modification could significantly alter the FA ratio in cellular membranes, and subsequently alter the transport of glucose and insulin receptivity.
One study focused on the modification of omega-3 FAs in the diet, and the resulting effect on red cell membranes. Researchers found that this modification could significantly alter the FA ratio in cellular membranes, and subsequently alter the transport of glucose and insulin receptivity.
One study focused on the modification of omega-3 FAs in the diet, and the resulting effect on red cell membranes. Researchers found that this modification could significantly alter the FA ratio in cellular membranes, and subsequently alter the transport of glucose and insulin receptivity.
Insulin's function (analogous to a fuel injector in a car) is to drive the glucose (analogous to gasoline) into the cell (analogous to the car engine). To do this, insulin must overcome the cell membrane barrier. In our ancient ancestors, the cell membrane was composed of a 1: 1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 FAs. However, now the cell membrane is composed of a ratio closer to 20: 1 or 30: 1. Thus, the insulin has greater difficulty in driving the glucose (fuel) into the cell (engine). The high composition of omega-6 FAs affects the structure of the cell membrane. As a result, the serum glucose levels remain high after consuming food, because of the cells' resistance to insulin. The body now registers higher levels of serum glucose than is homeostatically acceptable. As a result, the body produces more insulin to compensate for the higher serum glucose levels. |