A short presentation by Lucy Davis, PhD Student, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Cambridge on The challenge of overnutrition: understanding and reversing diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance followed by a Q&A and discussion with the speaker.
Coffee Break Seminars are a relaxed learning and discussion forum for our food security community that take place every Friday in person and online during term time at 2pm, UK time.
In-person: Manatee Room (1.41), David Attenborough Building
On-line: Please mail coordinator@globalfood.cam.ac.uk for the Teams link to join the meeting.
Abstract:
Diet-induced obesity is an epidemic in the UK and globally. The standard Western diet does not support long-term health and causes a variety of metabolic disturbances. Insulin resistance is a key feature of diet-induced obesity and is the primary cause of obesity related illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and potentially Alzheimer's disease. In this seminar I will discuss the dietary causes and progression of insulin resistance leading to type II diabetes, and how it can be reversed. I will also discuss the animal models used in this research and how they are used to replicate modern diet and lifestyle conditions.
Strong sex differences also exist in susceptibility to insulin resistance, with women strongly protected against metabolic disease until menopause. I will discuss some of the reasons for this observed difference and how this knowledge can be used to inform health guidelines.