Overweight children with high levels of the hormone insulin in their blood are also likely to have high levels of homocysteine, a substance that appears to raise the risk of heart disease, stroke, and birth defects, as well as possibly other adverse effects as well.
In addition, these children and adolescents appear to have lower levels of folate, a vitamin that can lower homocysteine levels.
The combination of elevated homocysteine and reduced folate could put these children at increased risk for developing heart disease, explain researchers from the University of Graz in Austria, who studied the link in 84 children and adolescents.
"The implication of our finding might be that reduction of cardiovascular risk factors (such as) body fat and insulin -- by dieting and/or physical activity -- might improve homocysteine metabolism," Dr. Siegfried Gallistl, the study's lead author, explained in an interview with Reuters Health. He also noted that that insulin appears to inhibit enzymes that play a role in homocysteine metabolism.
Insulin is the hormone responsible for getting glucose (sugar) in the blood into cells throughout the body to use as fuel. The cells of people with type 2 diabetes do not respond adequately to insulin. As a result, levels of both glucose and insulin in the blood remain high.
"Our study demonstrates for the first time that insulin is a main correlate of homocysteine in obese children and adolescents and suggests that (high insulin) may contribute to impairment of homocysteine metabolism in childhood obesity," the researchers conclude.
Diabetes Care 2000;23:1348-1352
Having stated that however, diet alone rarely causes complete remission of chronic health issues. One needs to look at other factors, like heavy metal and chemical exposures, sleep, exercise, chronic stress, emotional and spiritual balance as well.
Elevated insulin levels are one of the central keys to chronic illness. I did not fully appreciate this until 1995, but ever since I understood this, the evidence is quite clear that this is true. The further scientists study this, the more this seems to be confirmed.
I was not aware that elevated insulin caused homocysteine levels to become elevated. This appears to be one of its additional mechanisms of destructive action. If you are not familiar with homocysteine you can click on some of the links below for further information.
You can also check out the links on the dangers of obesity in children and how exercise and TV watching are two of the other important issues in addition to diet.
For additional information on homocysteine, see the other article in this week's newsletter.