Recent research from the Centenary Institute has unveiled that specific blood fats can predict the effectiveness of dietary weight loss interventions in individuals with pre-diabetes. These insights may lead to more personalized strategies for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.
Pre-diabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels that are not yet classified as diabetes. Weight loss through dietary changes is a common recommendation for normalizing blood sugar levels. However, studies indicate that over half of individuals with pre-diabetes do not achieve normal blood sugar levels even after significant weight loss.
The study, which involved 104 participants with pre-diabetes, aimed to identify blood biomarkers that could forecast the success of dietary weight loss. Participants were subjected to a low-energy diet resulting in at least an 8% reduction in body weight. Utilizing big data technology and machine learning-based bioinformatics, researchers analyzed alterations in various blood lipids—fats and fatty acids—before and after the dietary intervention.
Published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the research highlighted that weight loss induced notable changes in several lipid types. Crucially, the presence of certain lipids before weight loss was indicative of how much improvement in blood sugar levels participants could expect. For instance, sphingolipids, a class of fat present in cell membranes, were associated with changes in fasting blood sugar levels. Additionally, other lipids correlated with improvements in hemoglobin A1c, insulin levels, and insulin resistance.
Dr. Yanfei (Jacob) Qi, lead author from the Centenary Institute’s Centre for Cardiovascular Research, emphasized the significance of these findings: “Our research shows that specific blood fats can provide valuable insights into an individual’s potential to enhance blood sugar levels through weight loss. This discovery could revolutionize diabetes prevention by enabling personalized treatment plans tailored to individual needs.”
The researchers are optimistic that these lipid biomarkers could transform current diabetes prevention strategies, offering more effective solutions than the generalized dietary recommendations typically provided.
The next phase of the research will involve assessing the predictive power of these lipid markers in a more complex real-world setting, where participants will undergo a three-year lifestyle intervention that includes both diet and physical activity for weight management.
