Mechanism of Lipid Metabolism Abnormalities Resulting in Obesity, Diabetes, and Postprandial Hyperlipidemia: Beneficial Effects of Anti-inflammatory Food-derived Compounds

Chronic inflammation in white adipose tissue associated with obesity has been shown to cause insulin resistance leading to diabetes. Recently, it has also become clear that chronic inflammation may exacerbate obesity by inhibiting the heat-producing capacity of brown and beige adipocytes, which are able to convert the energy obtained from fat consumption into heat. It has also been suggested that chronic inflammation in the intestinal tract may exacerbate postprandial hyperlipidemia, a risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic diseases. Thus, chronic inflammation in vivo causes abnormal lipid metabolism and is involved in the development of various lifestyle-related diseases. This implies that daily dietary intake of food-derived compounds with anti-inflammatory effects that suppress this chronic inflammation can be expected to improve abnormalities in lipid metabolism. In this article, we review the mechanism of lipid metabolism abnormalities caused by chronic inflammation and the effects of anti-inflammatory food components on lipid metabolism.