Abstract
With the global increase in the epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes with a concomitant increase in atherosclerotic disease, an investigation into the effects of various macronutrients and food products has become necessary. Such investigation will allow us to better understand the relationship between the intake of various macronutrients and the pathogenesis of mechanisms underlying the regulation of insulin sensitivity and resistance, oxidative stress and inflammation, the regulation of hunger and satiety and atherogenesis. This review covers the first decade of work in this area relating the intake of usual foods and diets to their immediate and long term outcomes. The review also covers the exciting novel area of anti-inflammatory effects of certain foods. Hopefully, a comprehensive understanding of these actions of macronutrients and their long term effects will allow us to formulate food combinations which will lead to healthy eating habits and improvement in our overall health status.
Highlights
The association of obesity with chronic low grade inflammation and insulin resistance is well established (Hotamisligil et al, 1993; Festa et al, 2000)
Since oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation lead to the activation of redox sensitive pro-inflammatory transcription factors (Woronicz et al, 1997; Wang et al, 1999), we studied the effect of macronutrient intake and caloric restriction on ROS generation and oxidative stress
Since inflammatory mediators are known to increase the expression and activity of molecules which interfere with insulin signal transduction, we have investigated whether these molecules increase post prandially (Hotamisligil et al, 1996; Hirosumi et al, 2002)
Summary
The association of obesity with chronic low grade inflammation and insulin resistance is well established (Hotamisligil et al, 1993; Festa et al, 2000). Since oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation lead to the activation of redox sensitive pro-inflammatory transcription factors (Woronicz et al, 1997; Wang et al, 1999), we studied the effect of macronutrient intake and caloric restriction on ROS generation and oxidative stress. In view of these dramatic acute effects of macronutrient intake in inducing oxidative and inflammatory stress and impressive effects of caloric restriction and weight loss in reversing it, the question of whether there are some non-inflammatory foods is raised.
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