Milk may ward off type 2 diabetes

Can a Fat Protect You From Type 2 Diabetes?

For those trying to eat a healthy diet, whole-fat dairy and trans fats  are usually not on the menu - at least, not yet. Scientists have  narrowed in on a trans fat component found mainly in dairy fat that may  ward off type 2 diabetes and protect cardiovascular health. While the  research is far from conclusive and requires much further study, it  suggests fats may play a more complex role in human health than  previously thought.

This is no surprise to us.  We at Diabetes.net have long known that  the focus on blood glucose is not worthy of further examination.  It is  the entire metabolic balance of foods that is important to regulate.

Researchers found that adults with high levels of a fatty acid (one of  the main parts of fat molecules) called trans-palmitoleic acid in their  blood had a three-fold lower risk for diabetes, according to a study  published Monday in the<em>Annals of Internal Medicine</em>. This  naturally produced trans fat component is found mainly in dairy, as well  as some meats. These subjects also had lower body fat, higher good  coholestrol levels, and lower triglyceride levels, which are all  associated with better cardiovascular well-being.

"It's exciting because traditionally fats were just seen as artery  cloggers, but they seem to be both harmful and protective," said lead  author and Harvard epidemiologist Dariush Mozaffarian. "The fatty acid  world is becoming more interesting and complex."

Little is known about trans-palmitoleic acid. In a 1970 study,  nutritionists found it comprised only 0.2 percent of all dairy fats.  Mammals actually don't produce it naturally. Bacteria found in cattle  make the fatty acid during digestion, and it eventually finds its way to  their milk.

Mozaffarian and his colleagues grew interested in the fatty acid after  examining a small body of evidence linking dairy consumption with lower  diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk factors. "Because  trans-palmitoleic acid is fairly unique to dairy, we knew if we found it  in subjects there's a good chance it came from eating some dairy  product," he said.

Analyzing blood samples and lifestyles of more than 3,700 adults 65  years or older, Mozzaffarian found that even when adjusting for various  demographic and lifestyle differences, subjects with high levels of  trans-palmitoleic acid or reported eating whole-fat dairy appeared to be  in better shape than those who didn't. 739 people in the study had  trans-palmitoleic acid at the highest protective level.  The acid was  found in each person studied.

"This one of the strongest confirmations that there's something in dairy fat that lowers risk of diabetes," Mozzaffarian said.

That doesn't mean you should put down the skim milk and reach for the  half and half, however. Excess calories can lead to weight gain which,  going unchecked, is a contributing factor in diabetes, heart disease and  a number of other health problems.  This is only one study that does  not show trans-palmitoleic acid or whole-fat dairy directly caused these  differences. However, it's widely accepted that diets high in the  saturated fats found in dairy products often lead to diabetes and  cardiovascular disease.

"We certainly know that eating a lot of saturated fat is associated  with some bad consequences," said American Diabetes Association Senior  Vice President of Medical Affairs and Community Information Dr. Sue  Kirkman. "This study is interesting, but people shouldn't conclude they  should eat or drink high fat dairy products. It does, however, generate a  great hypothesis for future study."

Mozaffarian agrees. He hopes others will look further at  trans-palmitoleic acid and it's effects in the body. If  trans-palmitoleic acid is found to guard against diabetes or  cardiovascular disease, he envisions that maybe manufacturers can  increase its concentration in dairy products or use it as a supplement.

"It's exciting because it might be able to reduce the epidemic of  diabetes across the whole world," Mozaffarian said. "But this is really  new science, so we don't want to oversell this. It could be a flash in a  pan that turns out to not be correct."

Diabetes.net "The Original Diabetes Network"

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