IJERPH, Vol. 17, Pages 6690: Betel Quid Health Risks of Insulin Resistance Diseases in Poor Young South Asian Native and Immigrant Populations

IJERPH, Vol. 17, Pages 6690: Betel Quid Health Risks of Insulin Resistance Diseases in Poor Young South Asian Native and Immigrant Populations International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph17186690 Authors: Suzanne M. de la Monte Natalia Moriel Amy Lin Nada Abdullah Tanoukhy Camille Homans Gina Gallucci Ming Tong Ayumi Saito Betel quid, traditionally prepared with areca nut, betel leaf, and slaked lime, has been consumed for thousands of years, mainly in the form of chewing. Originally used for cultural, medicinal, and ceremonial purposes mainly in South Asian countries, its use has recently spread across the globe due to its psychoactive, euphoric, and aphrodisiac properties. Now it is widely used as a social lubricant and source of financial profit. Unfortunately, the profit motive has led to high rates of habitual consumption with eventual conversion to addiction among young girls and boys. Moreover, the worrisome practice of including tobacco in quid preparations has grown, particularly among pregnant women. Major health concerns include increased rates of malignancy, oral pathology, and cardiovascular, hepatic, fertility, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Metabolic disorders and insulin resistance disease states such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome contribute to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. Mechanistically, the constituents of areca nut/betel quid are metabolized to N-ni...
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research