ITHACA, N.Y., June 10 (UPI) -- Cornell University researchers in New York state report high levels of an enzyme containing the dietary supplement selenium may promote type 2 diabetes.
In the first study to find that an antioxidant promotes insulin resistance, a precursor of adult onset, type 2 diabetes, the researchers found mice bred to over-express the enzyme that holds 60 percent of selenium in the body -- glutathione peroxidase -- became 36 percent heavier and twice as fat as control mice.
Selenium is an antioxidant that can clean out harmful free radicals, which damage cell membranes and genetic material and contribute to cancer and heart disease, but the study suggests some free radicals are needed to regulate insulin, said researcher Xingen Lei.
"These findings suggest a new cause of insulin resistance and argues against the general belief that antioxidants are beneficial to insulin function," Lei wrote. "Although antioxidants are beneficial for health, too many may be harmful and we need to be much more cautious in making recommendations to supplement the diet with them."
