Background
Diets
rich in carbohydrates with a low
glycemic index and with high fiber
content are associated with flat
post–prandial rises of blood glucose,
minimal post-prandial insulin
secretion and maintenance of insulin
sensitivity. Protective food
commodities in the prevention of
cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance
syndrome or diabetes are
crucial components of the vegetarian diet.
Aim of the study
Insulin
resistance values were assessed in
relation to different nutrition.
Metabolic abnormality is a predictor
of age–related diseases and can
be more pronounced in obese subjects.
Insulin resistance values in
normal weight subjects of two different
nutritional habits were correlated
with age.
Methods
Fasting
concentrations of glucose and insulin
as well as calculated values of
insulin resistance IR (HOMA) were
assessed in two nutritional groups
of apparently healthy adult subjects
(age range 19 – 64 years) with normal
weight (body mass index
18.6 – 25.0 kg/m2): a vegetarian
group (95 long–term lacto–ovo–vegetarians;
duration of vegetarianism
10.2 ± 0.5 years) and a non-vegetarian
control group (107 subjects of
general population on traditional
western diet). Intake of energy and
main nutrients (fats, saccharides,
proteins) was similar in both
groups.
Results
Glucose and insulin
concentrations and IR (HOMA)
values were significantly lower in
vegetarians (glucose 4.47 ± 0.05
vs. 4.71 ± 0.07 mmol/l; insulin
4.96 ± 0.23 vs. 7.32 ± 0.41 mU/l; IR
(HOMA) 0.99 ± 0.05 vs. 1.59 ± 0.10).
IR (HOMA) dependence on age
was only significant in subjects on
a western diet. A significant increase
of IR was found already in
the age range 31–40 years, compared
to vegetarians and it continued
in later age decades. Age independent
and low insulin resistance
values in vegetarians are a consequence
of an effective diet prevention
by long–term frequent consumption
of protective food.
Vegetarians had a significantly
higher consumption of whole grain
products, pulses, products from oat
and barley.
Conclusion
The results
of age independent and low values
of insulin resistance document
abeneficial effect of long–term vegetarian
nutrition in prevention of
metabolic syndrome, diabetes and
cardiovascular disease.