“People suffering from high blood glucose levels may increase their production of methylglyoxal.”

1. What is methylglyoxal?

Methylglyoxal is a chemical compound that is naturally produced in the human body during glycolysis, which is a metabolic pathway responsible for the oxidation of glucose to provide energy for cells.

2. What foods and other products intended for human consumption or consumption contain it?

It can be found naturally in foods such as honey, where it is formed from the breakdown of sugars during storage. It may also be present in some baked goods due to the Maillard reaction, which is a chemical reaction between amino acids and sugars caused by heating food.

3. Is it true that this chemical can cause defects in our DNA, which are early signs of cancer?

Methylglyoxal is the main precursor in the formation of AGEs. If high accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) occurs, it can cause cellular damage, which can cause oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular apoptosis, processes that are associated with the development of diseases, including cancer.

4. Can people with diabetes or prediabetes associated with obesity or poor diet experience higher than normal levels of methylhyoxal?

People who suffer from high blood glucose levels may increase the production of methylglyoxal as a byproduct of glycolysis. Methylglyoxal has a toxic effect on insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells, as well as on modifications of proteins and nucleic acids.

5. If patients with high levels of methylglyoxal may have a higher risk of developing cancer, according to a recent study from the National University of Singapore, can these levels be controlled with medication and nutrition?

Yes, in non-pathological conditions humans have mechanisms to detoxify this compound, so maintaining a proper diet as part of a healthy lifestyle (adequate physical activity and rest) is a preventive measure that should further stimulate interest in reducing the prevalence. non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

6. When we talk about a good diet, are we talking about the Mediterranean diet or some other diet with special characteristics?

According to World Cancer Research Fund guidelines, there is evidence that eating vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains may protect against some types of cancer. In this case, the Mediterranean diet meets the criteria that we attribute to a diet with these characteristics, among which is that it is nutritious and contains sufficient macro- and micronutrients to achieve optimal health with a generous intake of vegetables, legumes and fruits. , nuts, whole grains, fatty fish, lean meats, dairy products and extra virgin olive oil.