Key Takeaways
- AvoB, a fat molecule found only in avocados, may help prevent obesity and diabetes by improving fatty acid oxidation.
- Mice given AvoB gained less weight and had better insulin sensitivity, while human trials showed safe absorption and potential weight loss benefits.
- While avocados alone may not provide enough AvoB, researchers are exploring its use in supplements for metabolic health.
A study by Canadian researchers shows that an active ingredient present only in avocados may control weight gain and prevent diabetes.
Avocado
Obesity is increasingly becoming a serious health threat in countries across the world. In Canada, where the new study was done, around one in every four people is obese.
Being overweight or obese increases a person’s risk for different medical conditions. Obesity, for instance, makes a person more likely to develop insulin resistance or Type 2 diabetes. People who are insulin-resistant are less able to get rid of glucose from their blood.
Obesity and diabetes can occur when mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells, fail to burn fatty acids efficiently. The disorders are also believed to inhibit fatty acid oxidation, an important process that helps the body to burn fat.
In this new study, researchers showed that a compound that can only be found in avocados may help fight obesity and diabetes. They also found that the active ingredient was safe for humans.
The findings were published recently in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.
Managing obesity and diabetes
The researchers, led by Professor Paul Spagnuolo, demonstrated in the study how a compound called avocatin B, or AvoB, may inhibit processes that lead to obesity and diabetes. This fat molecule is present only in avocados.
The research team placed mice on diets having high amounts of fats for eight weeks. They did this to induce weight gain and insulin resistance.
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They then gave half of the animals high-fat diets with added AvoB for the following five weeks.
Mice that received the compound gained significantly less body weight, compared to those in the control group.
In addition, the treated mice became more sensitive to insulin in comparison to non-treated ones. This means their body’s ability to absorb and remove glucose from the blood increases.
The researchers found that AvoB helps to address flawed fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle and the pancreas.
They also went further to investigate the safety of this compound in a human clinical study. Participants safely absorbed an AvoB supplement into their blood without any safety issues. The human subjects also showed reductions in weight, although this effect was not statistically significant.
Testing the efficacy of AvoB
Spagnuolo disclosed that the safety trial was useful for knowing just how much of the compound should be in a supplement formulation.
The researchers now want to carry out clinical trials to learn more about the efficacy of AvoB. They wish to learn how it might help in the treatment of different metabolic disorders.
According to Spagnuolo, eating avocados alone would likely not be effective for fighting obesity and diabetes. One of the reasons for this is the wide variability of AvoB content in avocados. In addition, researchers do not fully know how the fruit is digested and absorbed yet.
The University of Guelph scientists expressed the need for more research to know about the potential of avocados to aid weight loss.
Spagnuolo noted a healthy diet and exercise help prevent metabolic disorders that could result in obesity or diabetes.
He revealed the compound will go on sale in pill and powder forms as early as 2020. Health Canada has already granted approval for AvoB as a dietary supplement for humans.
Spagnuolo also studied how the molecule could help in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in previous research.
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Avocados and Metabolism: Your Questions Answered
What did the study find?
Researchers discovered that AvoB, a compound found only in avocados, may help prevent obesity and diabetes by improving fat metabolism.
How does AvoB work?
It helps the body burn fat more efficiently and improves insulin sensitivity, reducing the risk of weight gain and diabetes.
Can eating avocados alone prevent obesity and diabetes?
Not really—AvoB levels vary in avocados, and researchers aren’t sure how well it’s absorbed from food.
Were there human trials?
Yes, and participants absorbed AvoB safely, with some weight loss, though the results weren’t statistically significant.
Is AvoB available as a supplement?
Yes, it’s approved by Health Canada and available in pill and powder form.
Does AvoB have any side effects?
No major safety concerns were found in the study.
When will more research be done?
Researchers plan to run more clinical trials to fully understand AvoB’s benefits for metabolic disorders.
References
Ahmed, N., Tcheng, M., Roma, A., Buraczynski, M., Jayanth, P., Rea, K., Akhtar, T. A., & Spagnuolo, P. A. (2019). Avocatin B protects against lipotoxicity and improves insulin sensitivity in diet-induced obesity. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 63(21), e1900688. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201900688
Fulgoni, V. L., III, Dreher, M., & Davenport, A. J. (2013). Avocado consumption is associated with better diet quality and nutrient intake, and lower metabolic syndrome risk in U.S. adults: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2008. Nutrition Journal, 12(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-12-1
