Stefani Derrick

Background and Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic condition recognized as the inability to maintain glucose homeostasis, typically presenting with insulin resistance and systemic inflammation. With the prevalence of T2DM and major risk factors, such as prediabetes and obesity, increasing each year, the need to address risk factor reduction strategies is crucial. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two men and women, overweight-to-obese adults (BMI mean: 26.1–31.6) (age range mean: 44.6–51.8) with T2DM, indicators of prediabetes, or who were metabolically healthy, participated in Cal Poly’s Nutrition and Exercise in Type 2 Diabetes (CPNET) study. There were no significant differences in terms of age, BMI, or sex distribution among the groups at the baseline. This study’s protocol included following a Mediterranean-style diet, the daily consumption of a high-quality whey protein supplement, and physical activity recommendations for 16 weeks. Body composition data, via ...

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by glucose clearance abnormalities and insufficient insulin response. Left uncontrolled, T2DM can result in serious complications and death. With no cure available currently and the prevalence of major risk factors such as pre-diabetes and the metabolic syndrome continuously increasing, there is an urgent need for effective treatments with limited or no side effects. Red raspberries (RR) contain various phytonutrients with potential for modulating insulin function, glucose, and lipid metabolism. The objective of this literature review was to investigate the potential metabolic benefits of dietary RR in individuals with T2DM and pre-diabetes. A search of major scientific databases was employed to identify peer-reviewed, in vivo, or human studies that utilized whole RR or its functional constituents as treatment. The studies examined provide evidence that RR may offer clinically beneficial effects for the p...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a serious metabolic condition affecting millions of people worldwide. A “Western-style diet” has been shown to induce pediatric NAFLD with the potential disruption of skeletal muscle composition and metabolism. To determine the in vivo effect of a “Western-style diet” on pediatric skeletal muscle fiber type and fuel utilization, 28 juvenile Iberian pigs were fed either a control diet (CON) or a high-fructose, high-fat diet (HFF), with or without probiotic supplementation, for 10 weeks. The HFF diets increased the total triacylglycerol content of muscle tissue but decreased intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) content and the number of type I (slow oxidative) muscle fibers. HFF diets induced autophagy as assessed by LC3I and LC3II, and inflammation, as assessed by IL-1α. No differences in body composition were observed, and there was no change in insulin sensitivity, but HFF diets increased several plasma acylcarnitines and decreased expression o...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a serious metabolic condition affecting millions of people worldwide. A “Western-style diet” has been shown to induce pediatric NAFLD with the potential disruption of skeletal muscle composition and metabolism. To determine the in vivo effect of a “Western-style diet” on pediatric skeletal muscle fiber type and fuel utilization, 28 juvenile Iberian pigs were fed either a control diet (CON) or a high-fructose, high-fat diet (HFF), with or without probiotic supplementation, for 10 weeks. The HFF diets increased the total triacylglycerol content of muscle tissue but decreased intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) content and the number of type I (slow oxidative) muscle fibers. HFF diets induced autophagy as assessed by LC3I and LC3II, and inflammation, as assessed by IL-1α. No differences in body composition were observed, and there was no change in insulin sensitivity, but HFF diets increased several plasma acylcarnitines and decreased expression o...