Obesity, insulin resistance and free fatty acids

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the role of free fatty acid (FFA) as a cause for insulin resistance in obese people. RECENT FINDINGS: Elevated plasma FFA levels can account for a large part of insulin resistance in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is clinically important because it is closely associated with several diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and abnormalities in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. These disorders are all independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease (heart attacks, strokes and peripheral arterial disease). The mechanisms by which FFA can cause insulin resistance, although not completely known, include generation of lipid…

• AD
  American Diabetes Association
• NI
  National Institutes of Health