Moderate weight loss halts diabetes

Obese can prevent type 2 diabetes by losing as little as 6kg

 

Warnings about the link between obesity and diabetes has become even more significant in light of new evidence presented by Australian scientists in a study led by Katherine Samaras, the Associate Professor of Medicine at Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research. This is because excess body fat triggers the production of pro-inflammatory immune cells which harden arteries and cause type 2 diabetes. Scientists have now shown that even modest weight loss could lower the production of these immune cells to levels comparable to those found in slim, leaner people. Not only could weight loss prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, but it could also reverse the effects of the disease.

Katherine Samaras explained that ‘What we showed for the first time was that the inflammation that’s in the circulation and in fat tissue that characterises the obesity that’s associated with diabetes can be pretty much gutted by modest weight reduction.’

Source: ABC News, 20 April 2010.

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