Effects of diets rich in monounsaturated fatty acids on the management and prevention of insulin resistance: A systematic review

Abstract

Insulin resistance (IR), which is linked to obesity, is a mechanism associated with metabolic diseases, mainly type 2 diabetes mellitus. Studies have shown that monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties which positively affect IR. This systematic review examined the effects of MUFAs from different sources on IR in obese or overweight patients with or without metabolic syndrome. A search was carried out in the PubMed/Medline and Bireme/VHL databases, and data from 16 studies were analysed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The intervention time ranged from 1 day to 5.2 years. All participants were overweight or obese; some had central obesity, a moderate risk of cardiovascular disease, low high-density lipoprotein levels, altered fasting glucose levels, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus. This systematic review provides evidence that MUFA-rich diets can improve IR.