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Taiwanese vegetarians have higher insulin sensitivity than omnivores

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2007

Chien-Jung Hung ,
Po-Chao Huang ,
Yi-Hwei Li ,
Shao-Chun Lu ,
Low-Tone Ho  and
Hsu-Fang Chou
Chien-Jung Hung
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Tzu-Chi University, Taiwan
Po-Chao Huang
Affiliation:
College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Taiwan
Yi-Hwei Li
Affiliation:
College of Medicine, Tzu-Chi University, Department of Public Health, Taiwan
Shao-Chun Lu
Affiliation:
College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Taiwan
Low-Tone Ho
Affiliation:
Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Department of Medical Research and Education, Taiwan
Hsu-Fang Chou*
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Tzu-Chi University, Taiwan
*
*Corresponding author: Dr Hsu-Fang Chou, fax +886 3 8580641, email hfy@mail.tcu.edu.tw
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Abstract

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The present study was designed to examine the effects of habitual consumption of Taiwanese vegetarian diets on hormonal secretion, and on lipid and glycaemic control. Of the ninety-eight healthy female adults recruited from Hualien, Taiwan (aged 31–45 years), forty-nine were Buddhist lactovegetarians and forty-nine were omnivores. Dietary intakes were measured, and blood levels of nutrients and hormones were analysed. Vegetarians consumed less energy, fat and protein, but more fibre than the omnivores. Compared with the omnivores, the vegetarians had, on average, lower BMI and smaller waist circumference. Except for slightly lower levels of thyroxine (T4) in vegetarians, vegetarians and omnivores both showed similar levels of triiodothyronine (T3), free T4, thyroid-stimulating hormone, T3:T4 ratio and cortisol. Compared with the omnivores, the vegetarians had significantly lower levels of fasting insulin (median: 35·3 v. 50·6pmol/l) and plasma glucose (mean: 4·7 (se 0·05) v. 4·9 (se 0·05) mmol/l). Insulin resistance, as calculated by the homeostasis model assessment method, was significantly lower in the vegetarians than in the omnivores (median: 1·10 v. 1·56), while β-cell function was not different between the two groups. BMI and diet were both independent predictors for insulin resistance, and contributed 18 and 15% of the variation in insulin resistance, respectively. In conclusion, Taiwanese vegetarians had lower glucose and insulin levels and higher insulin sensitivity than did the omnivores. Diet and lower BMI were partially responsible for the high insulin sensitivity observed in young Taiwanese vegetarians.

Keywords

Vegetarian dietsThyroid hormonesInsulinGlucagonInsulin resistance
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 95 , Issue 1 , January 2006 , pp. 129 - 135
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2006

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