You might have seen last week’s health headlines featuring a news story about how the body’s fat cells play a role in development of type-2 diabetes. Is this really important, and does it impact you?

The researchers of the study (published this month in the journal Cell Metabolism) have discovered new information about gene-based changes in the body’s fat tissue, leading to the very kind of inflammation seen in glucose intolerance (the hallmark of type 2 diabetes). The implication here is that drug manufacturers now have new and different targets for drugs to treat type 2 diabetes. Currently, most drugs used for type-2 diabetes target the immune system, but this new research suggests that drugs targeting fat cells directly might be more effective. That’s all well and good, but what about implications for prevention, lifestyle management, and reversal?

It turns out that obesity (which, essentially, is enlarged fat cells) itself is what triggers these cells to release the protein that causes the damaging inflammation in the first place. So wouldn’t it make more sense to target the obesity itself, rather than dealing with damage control after the fact?

This research backs up other news you may have heard about several months ago: the fact that people who had undergone successful bariatric surgery (gastric bypass or similar procedure) have unexpectedly high rates of reversal of their type 2 diabetes. It turns out that there’s nothing special about the surgery — any reduction in body fat will have a positive effect on controlling diabetes.

The evidence is clear: keep obesity at bay, and keep the diabetes away. If you’re pre-diabetic or have a strong family history of type 2 diabetes, your best defense for optimal health is to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. If you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and are already struggling with overweight, I urge you to visit with a dietitian to get on the right lifestyle plan for you. Seek support among peers and right here, as well as at the ND Diet and Weight Loss Blog, where you’ll find tips and inspiration for living a lean, long, healthy life.

Credits to:Nutrition Data: Diabetes

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