The role of monounsaturated fatty acids in the mitigation of insulin resistance

Jackson, K. G. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0070-3203 and Lovegrove, J. A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7633-9455 (2010) The role of monounsaturated fatty acids in the mitigation of insulin resistance. Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports, 4 (5). pp. 390-397. ISSN 1932-9520 doi: 10.1007/s12170-010-0111-y

Abstract/Summary

With the rising rate of obesity, there is considerable interest in dietary strategies to reduce insulin resistance, a major characteristic of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Diets rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) have been suggested as an alternative to low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets to improve glycemic control. However, inconsistent effects have been observed with MUFA-rich diets in both healthy and insulin-resistant individuals. In studies that have reported favorable effects on insulin sensitivity, Mediterranean-style diets have been used that are rich not only in MUFA but also whole-grain foods, fiber, and carbohydrates with a low glycemic index. There is a need for intervention studies to examine the true impact of MUFA-rich oils on glycemic control in both Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean populations. In addition, the metabolic and genotypic status of the participants may also play a role in the inter-individual variability in insulin sensitivity in response to MUFA-rich diets.