Milk Consumption And Type 2 Diabetes

The prevalence of diabetes has reached epidemic proportions.

WHO predicts that developing countries will bear the brunt of this epidemic in the 21st century. Currently, more than 70% of people with diabetes live in low- and middle income countries.

1. An estimated 285 million people, corresponding to 6.4% of the world's adult population, will live with diabetes in 2010. The number is expected to grow to 438 million by 2030, corresponding to 7.8% of the adult population.
2. While the global prevalence of diabetes is 6.4%, the prevalence varies from 10.2% in the Western Pacific to 3.8% in the African region. However, the African region is expected to experience the highest increase.
3. 70% of the current cases of diabetes occur in low- and middle income countries. With an estimated 50.8 million people living with diabetes, India has the world's largest diabetes population, followed by China with 43.2 million.
4. The largest age group currently affected by diabetes is between 40-59 years. By 2030 this “record” is expected to move to the 60-79 age group with some 196 million cases.

Diabetes is one of the major causes of premature illness and death worldwide. Non-communicable diseases including diabetes account for 60% of all deaths worldwide.

Consumption of milk and other dairy products is often recommended to be limited, especially for people with high fat levels. However, the latest study said dairy products that contain fatty acids can prevent diabetes.

According to a study reported in the journal of Annals of Internal Medicine, high concentration of fatty acids referred as trans-palmitoleic acid in the body will reduce risk of diabetes by 62%.

“People with high trans- palmitoleic fatty acid also have higher levels of good cholesterol and triglycerides. It will reduce insulin resistance and lower levels of inflammation signs,” said the leader of researcher, Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard School of Public Health.

Palmitoleic acid is actually not only found naturally in the human body, but also in dairy products even in less amount. The sources of this acid, which come from the outside of the body, are referred to trans-palmitoleic acid. High fat milks have this acid level higher than non-fat.

Studies in animals showed that palmitoleic acid protected the body from insulin resistance, which also similarly happened in humans. However, experts had not been able to find the exact cause.

To reveal it, Mozaffarian and colleagues analyzed data from 3,700 people who followed the Cardiovascular Health Study. All respondents were living in the United States and must be 65 years old or over.

Blood samples of respondents were checked to determine trans-palmitoeic acid levels as well as cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein and glucose levels. The respondents were also interviewed about their daily consumption menu.

People with high trans-palmitoleic acid levels appeared to have less levels of fat in the body. They also had higher levels of good cholesterol. Meanwhile, levels of C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) were low.

As expected before, levels of insulin resistance in their body were also low. It meant that their risk for type 2 diabetes is lower too.

Although the results of this study found relationship between milk consumption and lower risk of diabetes, the experts who responded to this study said there was no single study that could be used to guide diet for the people.

However, experts said the results of this study showed that not all high-fat products were bad for health.

Source: This article is combine result of many internet articles

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