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Natural oil may fight diabetes

Category: Diabetes

Scientists are working to diversify the available treatments for individuals who find out, through a blood test, that they have diabetes. One team of scientists from the Missouri University of Science and Technology discovered that oil extracted from the seeds of the wild almond tree (Sterculia foetida) may be able to fight both obesity and diabetes.

Past studies suggested that sterculic oil helps suppress the activity of an enzyme known as stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1, which is associated with insulin resistance. In order to investigate further, the researchers conducted an experiment on 28 male mice: 14 obese, and 14 normal-sized. All animals, divided into four groups, ate a standard diet. One group each of obese and normal-sized mice received supplemental sterculic oil.

Results showed that obese animals that consumed the compound had better insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, sterculic oil was associated with lower levels of three types of gut bacteria. While this finding is significant, it is unclear whether the presence or absence of these bacteria affected insulin sensitivity.

This research may provide the foundation for more effective diabetes treatments.

Until then, accurate diagnosis of diabetes through a blood test is the first step to tackling the illness with an effective regimen.