Inflammation, not obesity, the culprit in diabetes

Getting fat doesn't necessarily promote diabetes. Rather, it appears to the inflammation associated with obesity that actually undermines the body's ability to use insulin properly.  Mice who are allowed to get fat typically develop diabetes (just like people).  But when researchers blocked the inflammatory pathways associated with obesity, they found that mice could get quite fat without ever developing diabetes. "If we can block or disarm this macrophage inflammatory pathway in humans, we could interrupt the cascade that leads to insulin resistance and diabetes," said one researcher. (Read entire story here.)

But is that really such a good idea? After all, we're talking about disabling part of the immune system.  And there are plenty of other health hazards associated with obesity.  I hope that this research and a  greater understanding into exactly how obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance are related can ultimately lead to better therapies for diabetes.  But attaining and maintaining a healthy body weight should still be a top health priority for all of us, diabetics and non-diabetics alike.  (And choosing an anti-inflammatory diet is probably a good idea as well.)

For more information on how an anti-inflammatory diet may reduce your risk of a number of diseases, see our Inflammation page.