1: Eur J Nutr. 2004 Jun;43 Suppl 2:II7-II46. 

PASSCLAIM--body weight regulation, insulin sensitivity and diabetes risk.

Riccardi G, Aggett P, Brighenti F, Delzenne N, Frayn K, Nieuwenhuizen A,
Pannemans D, Theis S, Tuijtelaars S, Vessby B.

Universita degli Studi di Napoli, Federico II, Dip. di Medicina Clinica e
Sperimentale, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, Italy.

BACKGROUND: Insulin sensitivity is a key function in human metabolism because it
has a crucial role in the development of disease that are increasingly common in
modern society. Impaired insulin sensitivity is an important determinant of type
2 diabetes; moreover, it has been proposed as an independent risk factor for
cardiovascular disease. Thus, reduced insulin sensitivity is strongly associated
with the metabolic syndrome, which represents a cluster of metabolic
abnormalities and cardiovascular risk factor. Insulin sensitivity can be
modulated by different environmental factors, including dietary habits. Obesity,
especially if associated with abdominal adiposity, impairs insulin-sensitivity
while physical activity can improve it; however, the composition of the habitual
diet is clearly an important regulator of this function. AIM: To evaluate
methodologies and markers that can be used to substantiate existing and
potential claims of beneficial effects of foods on relevant functions connected
with body fat deposition, insulin sensitivity and blood glucose regulation.
RESULTS: We have reviewed the scientific basis for existing and potential
claims, based not only on modifications of the target functions (body fat
deposition, insulin sensitivity and blood glucose regulation) but also on
modifications of other relevant associated functions (energy intake, energy
expenditure, fat storage and oxidation, lipotoxicity, body fat composition,
inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular function, glucose production and
utilization). In this context we have identified a number of markers and
evaluated appropriate method to measure and validate them. CONCLUSIONS: Relevant
functions contributing to overweight, the metabolic syndrome and diabetes have
been identified. The evidence reviewed indicates that in this field the link
between nutrition, biological responses and diseases is clearly established.
Therefore, there is a strong potential to develop functional food science. The
major gap in the evidence continues to be the lack of diet based intervention
trials of sufficient duration to be relevant for affecting the natural history
of these conditions.

PMID: 15221353 [PubMed - in process]