Acid–base balance may influence risk for insulin resistance syndrome by modulating cortisol output
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Acid–base balance as a determinant of cortisol production
Remer and colleagues [1], in a crossover study examining physiological effects of three diets – a “normal protein” omnivore diet, a higher protein omnivore diet, and a relatively low protein lactovegetarian diet (50 g protein daily) – found that 24-h urinary excretion of cortisol was about 30% lower (p<0.01) on the latter diet than on the normal protein diet. Conversely, this parameter trended higher on the high-protein as compared to the normal protein diet, though this difference did not
Cortisol modulation of insulin function
It is clear that prolonged frank hyperglucocorticoidism – as seen in Cushing's syndrome, or during clinical use of high-dose glucocorticoids – tends to promote visceral obesity, compromises insulin sensitivity, and increases risk for insulin resistance syndrome and diabetes. Although glucocorticoids can act directly on skeletal muscle to compromise its insulin responsiveness, induction of global insulin resistance syndrome may reflect an impact of glucocorticoids on adipocytes – most notably
An “alkaline diet” may decrease risk for insulin resistance syndrome
These considerations suggest the intriguing possibility that – other factors being equal – a diet which promotes an acidic metabolic environment will tend to promote visceral obesity and insulin resistance syndrome via a modest up-regulation of cortisol production – whereas diets promoting a more alkaline metabolic environment may be protective in this regard. Of course, countervailing factors may come into play – notably, a diet quite high in protein, while acidifying, also has a favorable
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Therapeutic implications of hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal-axis modulation in Alzheimer's disease: A narrative review of pharmacological and lifestyle interventions
2021, Frontiers in NeuroendocrinologyCitation Excerpt :Such diets (usually western) are typically acidogenic, high in animal protein and low in fruits and vegetables, causing a sub-clinical state of metabolic acidosis (Cordain et al., 2005). Among other negative health related effects, acidosis can also influence adrenal hormone production of cortisol whereby studies have reported a consequential increase of salivary and serum cortisol (Gibson et al., 1999) alongside an increased risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (McCarty, 2005). Epidemiological evidence has shown that adherence to diet comprised of high vegetable intake, whole grains, fish and moderate intake of saturated fats, refined sugar and salt reduced urinary cortisol levels and elevated DHEAS among Puerto Rican women (n = 1381), but not among men (Mattei et al., 2013).
Higher dietary acid load is weakly associated with higher adiposity measures and blood pressure in Japanese adults: The National Health and Nutrition Survey
2017, Nutrition ResearchCitation Excerpt :The potential importance of metabolic acidosis (without acidemia) to metabolic risk factors has been recently suggested in the literature [1-3].
Lowered extracellular pH is involved in the pathogenesis of skeletal muscle insulin resistance
2014, Biochemical and Biophysical Research CommunicationsCitation Excerpt :The organic acids-induced acidosis could contribute to the development of insulin resistance. Several studies [20–22] have suggested a close correlation between organic acid production and insulin sensitivity in both type 2 DM patients and healthy subjects. Recent epidemiological studies have confirmed that the relationship between insulin resistance and metabolic acidosis-caused phenomena, such as low serum bicarbonate and low urine pH [6].
Improvement of insulin resistance, blood pressure and interstitial pH in early developmental stage of insulin resistance in OLETF rats by intake of propolis extracts
2013, Biochemical and Biophysical Research CommunicationsCitation Excerpt :The organic acids-induced acidosis could contribute to the development of insulin resistance. Several studies [24–26] have suggested a close correlation of organic acid production with insulin sensitivity in both type 2 diabetes patients and healthy subjects. Lower levels of serum bicarbonate and higher levels of anion gap resulted from metabolic acidosis were associated with lower insulin sensitivity [27].
Acidosis, phosphofructokinase, and diabetic coma [2]
2009, British Journal of Anaesthesia