Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
08:13
Study of In Vivo Glucose Metabolism in High-fat Diet-fed Mice Using Oral Glucose Tolerance Test OGTT and Insulin Tolerance Test ITT
Published on: January 7, 2018
72.7K
Targeting Insulin Resistance Through Nutrition: Pathophysiological Insights and Dietary Interventions
Amelia Caretto1, Anna Zanardini1, Giulio Frontino2
1Diabetes Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy.
Nutrients
|April 14, 2026
Summary
Dietary patterns significantly impact insulin resistance (IR), a key factor in metabolic disorders. The Mediterranean diet shows strong evidence for improving IR, while other diets offer specific benefits, necessitating personalized approaches for managing metabolic health.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic Health & Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science & Dietetics
Background:
- Insulin resistance (IR) is central to metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic syndrome, and obesity.
- Impaired insulin signaling in key tissues, driven by lipid accumulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut dysbiosis, underlies IR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanisms of insulin resistance.
- To synthesize evidence on the efficacy of various dietary patterns in managing IR.
Main Methods:
- A narrative review synthesizing IR mechanisms and dietary interventions.
- Literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase up to January 2026, prioritizing high-level evidence (RCTs, meta-analyses, guidelines).
Main Results:
- The Mediterranean diet is highly effective, reducing T2DM incidence by 31% and improving IR across T2DM, MASLD, and PCOS.
- Low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets show significant short-term glucose and insulin reductions.
- Plant-based diets and intermittent fasting aid IR management primarily through weight loss and gut microbiota modulation.
Conclusions:
- Individualized dietary strategies are crucial, considering metabolic phenotype, comorbidities, and patient adherence.
- Further large-scale, long-term trials comparing interventions and measuring clinical outcomes are warranted.
Keywords:
Mediterranean dietcarbohydratescardiometabolic riskinflammationinsulin resistanceinsulin sensitivitymetabolic diseasesnutritional therapyobesityMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways
6.3K
Insulin action is mediated through a receptor tyrosine kinase, akin to the IGF-1 receptor. The number of receptors per cell varies significantly, from 40 on erythrocytes to 300,000 on adipocytes and hepatocytes. The insulin receptor consists of linked α/β subunit dimers, forming a heterotetramer glycoprotein with two extracellular α subunits and two β subunits spanning the membrane. The α subunits inhibit the inherent tyrosine kinase activity of the β subunits, but...
6.3K
01:15Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
1.5K
The therapy for diabetes aims to alleviate hyperglycemia-related symptoms, prevent acute metabolic decompensation, and reduce chronic end-organ complications. Glycemic control is evaluated through short-term (self-monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring) and long-term (A1c, fructosamine) metrics, enabling near real-time tracking of blood glucose levels and reflecting glycemic control over specific time frames.
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
1.5K
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
4.6K
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
4.6K
01:36Carbohydrate Metabolism
15.2K
Carbohydrates are polymers composed of molecules containing atoms of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. One gram of carbohydrate can provide four kilo-calories of energy, which makes it the most efficient instant energy source.
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...
15.2K
01:24Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
1.4K
Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...
1.4K
01:26Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
989
Biguanides, particularly metformin (Glucophage), are insulin sensitizers that enhance glucose uptake, thereby reducing insulin resistance. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin doesn't prompt insulin secretion, which helps to curb hypoglycemia risk. Metformin is beneficial in treating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome due to its insulin-resistance reduction capability. The drug's primary action involves curtailing hepatic gluconeogenesis, a significant contributor to high blood...
989