VOLUME 19 NUMBER 2 • November 2022 35 Dairy products may protect against type 2 diabetes: Italian meta-analysis A meta-analysis, presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) conference, links low-fat dairy products to a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), while finding that red and processed meats increased the risk. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in 10 people (37 million Americans) live with diabetes and that more than one in three people have prediabetes. The disease can increase risks for health complications, including cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, stroke, blindness and circulatory issues, which could necessitate the amputation of toes, feet, or a part of the leg. Now researchers from University of Naples Federico II in Naples, Italy, have gathered evidence showing that certain foods can cut the risk of T2D onset. Annalisa Giosuè, PhD, of the institution’s Department of Clinical Medicine, spearheaded an extensive investigation to explore the relationship between different animalbased foods and the condition, and presented her team’s findings at the annual meeting of the EASD conference earlier this month. High-level ‘review of reviews’ Current dietary guidelines for T2D prevention recommend limited intake of most animal products. However, research suggests that certain animal products might offer health benefits for lowering T2D risk. Type 2 diabetes is one of the major causes of diet-related death worldwide. ‘Learning more about how different dietary components increase or decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes is key to its prevention,’ Giosuè told MedicalNewsToday. To that end, she and colleagues examined 13 existing meta-analyses that studied which foods were linked to increased risk of T2D. This type of ‘review of reviews’ pulls together one of the most comprehensive levels of evidence possible in medical research, they said. Which meats promote T2D? The 13 meta-analyses provided estimates of how 12 different animal-based foods may elevate or lower the risk of developing T2D. Categories included: total meat, red, white and processed meat; total, full-fat and low-fat dairy; fish, milk, cheese, yogurt and eggs. Daily consumption of 100 g of total meat was associated with a 20% higher risk. The same amount of red meat was associated with a 22% increase in risk. Half that amount of processed meats, such as deli meat, bacon and sausages, may have contributed to a 30% increase in T2D risk. ‘Meat, particularly red and processed meats, is a relevant source of saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, advanced (glycation end)- products, and heme (animal-derived) iron, known to promote chronic subclinical inflammation and impair insulin sensitivity; the capacity of the cells to properly respond to insulin stimulation by absorbing glucose from the blood, thus lowering glycemic levels,’ said Giosuè. She added that sodium, nitrates and nitrites in processed meats might ‘not only damage insulin-producing pancreatic cells but also induce oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction, which, in turn, (reduce) the sensitivity of the cells to insulin’. On the other hand, 50 g (of white meat, which includes chicken and turkey), corresponded with only a 4% higher T2D risk. She believes this is because this meat has less fat, a healthier fatty acid profile and less animal-derived iron. Dairy’s protective potential The team found that dairy foods might offer protection against T2D or have no effect on its onset. Consumption of 200 g (almost one cup) of milk was associated with a 10% lower risk of T2D, and 100 g of yogurt correlated with a 6% risk reduction. A cup of total dairy and low-fat dairy were each associated with a 5 and 3% reduced T2D risk, respectively. However, the meta-analyses showed that cheese and full-fat dairy had no effect on T2D risk. The quality of the evidence was low to moderate, though. Giosuè told MNT of several benefits of regularly eating dairy products: ‘Nutritionally speaking, dairy products are a source of nutrients, vitamins and other components (namely calcium, proteins, peptides) with potential beneficial effects on glucose metabolism. For instance, whey protein has a well-known effect on SA JOURNAL OF DIABETES & VASCULAR DISEASE Diabetes News ZARTAN 50, 100 mg. Each tablet contains 50, 100 mg losartan potassium respectively. S3 A41/7.1.3/0287, 0289. NAM NS2 08/7.1.3/0067, 0086. For full prescribing information, refer to the professional information approved by SAHPRA, 31 August 2019. ZARTAN CO 50/12,5, 100/25. Each tablet contains 50, 100 mg losartan potassium and 12,5, 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide respectively. S3 A42/7.1.3/1068, 1069. NAM NS2 12/7.1.3/0070, 0071. For full prescribing information, refer to the professional information approved by SAHPRA, 31 July 2019. ZNCE840/05/2022. www.pharmadynamics.co.za CUSTOMER CARE LINE +27 21 707 7000 holds rankin hypertension
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