Mice that received just low-fat products were more sensitive to insulin than mice that ate small portions of high fat food. Clinically obese people sometimes suffer from Type II diabetes due to more fatty acids being released from the adipose tissue present in obesity. These fatty acids can reduce the functioning of the beta cells in the pancreas as well as the sensitivity of various tissues to insulin.
Fat accumulation in adipose tissue is less harmful than fat accumulation in organs such as the liver and muscles. Treatment methods that lead to a reduction of fat accumulation in the liver and muscles might also remedy type II diabetes mellitus in obese patients.
In diabetics, the regulation of the blood glucose level and the transport of glucose from the blood to tissue cells are disrupted. This is due to either an inadequate production of insulin or the insulin available not being effective enough. Obesity and type II diabetes mellitus will probably be the health problems of the 21st century, as the number of obese people has risen sharply over the last few decades. This article was adapted from a news release by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research.