Omenthin is a recently discovered small protein. This protein is found …

• in fat cells around the heart and other organs,

• in the small intestine,

• in the cells that line the heart and other organs,

• in the cells of the blood vessels,

• in some cells of the respiratory tract,

• in the colon,

• in the ovaries, and

• blood.

The molecule is anti-inflammatory, and varying levels have been found in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes …

• Omenthin levels rise as the body tries to correct type 2 diabetes and associated complications of the heart and blood vessels.

• Studies have also revealed that there are low levels of the molecule in obese individuals.

In January 2019, the magazine Diabetes research and clinical practice reported on a study conducted at Osaka City University in Osaka, Japan. The researchers compared …

• 425 people who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, with

• 223 non-diabetic study participants.

In those at high risk for serious complications …

• those aged 65 or over,

• those with heart and blood diseases, and

• those with reduced kidney function,

Low omentin levels were associated with reduced blood vessel dilation in response to increased blood flow. From these results, the researchers concluded that omentin plays a protective role in people with type 2 diabetes at risk for heart and blood vessel complications.

A study reported in December 2018 in the journal Clinical Nutrition shows that adherence to a low-calorie Mediterranean diet could be helpful in raising omentin levels. Researchers from the University of Valladolid in Valladolid, Spain, prescribed the diet to 67 obese participants with an average age of 48 years for three months.

At the end of the study, Omenthin levels increased, while decreases were seen in the following …

• body mass index (BMI),

• body weight,

• body fat,

• waist measurement,

• blood pressure,

• blood sugar level,

• insulin, because it was not needed as much,

• insulin resistance, the cause of type 2 diabetes, and

• LDL cholesterol – “bad” cholesterol.

The main foods included in the Mediterranean diet are …

• vegetables: Greeks usually eat nine daily servings of fruits and vegetables,

• Fruit,

• whole grains: bread, pasta and rice,

• vegetables – beans,

• walnuts: pistachios, walnuts, almonds contain healthy fats, but eat them in moderation due to their high calories,

• healthy fats like olive and canola oils instead of butter. The bread is eaten bathed in liquid vegetable oil instead of butter,

• red wine in moderation – optional, and

• herbs and spices instead of salt: parsley, saffron, thyme, basil, rosemary, oregano and sage.