05/06/2021 / By Virgilio Marin
Researchers from the University of Guelph in Canada have discovered that a fat molecule unique to avocado may help treat diabetes. In a study published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, the researchers found that avocatin B (AvoB) reduced insulin resistance in diabetic mice and promoted weight loss in humans.
AvoB is a mixture of polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols found exclusively in avocados. Discovered just a few years ago, the compound has attracted the attention of researchers due to its anti-cancer properties, which stem from its ability to inhibit fatty acid oxidation (FAO) or the breakdown of fats. Cancer cells depend on FAO for their proliferation and survival.
But FAO is also implicated in the development of Type 2 diabetes. In diabetic and obese individuals, cells that produce insulin get damaged due to incomplete FAO in the mitochondria.
Because of this, the researchers wanted to examine the effect of the compound on glucose and fat metabolism. They fed mice a high-fat diet for eight weeks to induce obesity and insulin resistance and then added avoB to the diet of half the mice for the next 5 weeks. The AvoB-treated mice had increased insulin sensitivity and weighed less than the untreated mice.
The researchers also tested the effect of AvoB on humans to see if the compound is safe for use. They administered either 50 or 200 milligrams of AvoB supplements to participants who were on an average Western diet.
After two months, the researchers found no negative effects in the liver, muscles or kidneys and no indication of dose-dependent toxicity. The participants also lost weight, though the effect was not statistically significant. (Related: Avocado seed: a superfood for your health.)
The researchers noted, however, that eating avocados alone may not be enough for a person to experience AvoB’s health benefits. The amount of the compound varies from fruit to fruit and it remains unclear how well the body absorbs the compound. To address these, the researchers developed AvoB supplements that are available for purchase.
The following superfoods help fight diabetes: (h/t to Healthline.com)
Add avocado and these nutritious superfoods to your diet to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes.
Learn more about the best foods for diabetes prevention at DiabetesCure.news.
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Tagged Under: alternative medicine, anti-diabetes, anti-obesity, avocado, avocatin B, disease treatments, fatty acid oxidation, fight obesity, food cures, food is medicine, functional food, natural cures, natural medicine, prevention, superfruits, supplements, Type 2 Diabetes
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