IIN Chronic Disease & Nutrition 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which dietary pattern is most strongly associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes in large epidemiological studies?
- High-protein carnivore diet
- Mediterranean diet rich in whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats (Correct answer)
- Low-fat diet emphasizing refined grains
- Intermittent fasting with no dietary restrictions
Correct answer: Mediterranean diet rich in whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats
The Mediterranean diet consistently shows strong protective effects against type 2 diabetes due to its fiber content, low glycemic load, and anti-inflammatory fats.
Question 2: Elevated homocysteine levels are most closely linked to increased risk of which chronic condition?
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease (Correct answer)
- Osteoporosis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Correct answer: Cardiovascular disease
High homocysteine damages arterial walls and promotes atherosclerosis, making it a key biomarker for cardiovascular disease risk.
Question 3: A client with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) would most benefit from reducing intake of which nutrient?
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Dietary fiber
- Added sugars and fructose (Correct answer)
- Vitamin E
Correct answer: Added sugars and fructose
Excess fructose is preferentially metabolized in the liver to fat, directly driving hepatic lipid accumulation in NAFLD.
Question 4: Which mechanism best explains how chronic sleep deprivation contributes to obesity and metabolic disease?
- Decreased cortisol production
- Disruption of leptin and ghrelin signaling (Correct answer)
- Increased serotonin activity
- Reduced insulin receptor expression
Correct answer: Disruption of leptin and ghrelin signaling
Poor sleep lowers leptin (satiety hormone) and raises ghrelin (hunger hormone), increasing appetite and promoting weight gain.
Question 5: In IIN's Health Coach approach, a client's 'secondary food' refers to which of the following?
- Supplements taken alongside meals
- The actual food and nutrients consumed
- All aspects of life that nourish us beyond food (Correct answer)
- Fermented and functional foods
Correct answer: All aspects of life that nourish us beyond food
IIN defines secondary food as literal food, while primary food encompasses relationships, career, movement, and spirituality that feed us beyond the plate.
Question 6: Which fatty acid profile is most beneficial for managing systemic inflammation associated with chronic disease?
- High omega-6, low omega-3
- Equal omega-6 and omega-3
- High omega-3, lower omega-6 ratio (Correct answer)
- High saturated fat, minimal polyunsaturated fat
Correct answer: High omega-3, lower omega-6 ratio
A higher omega-3 to omega-6 ratio shifts prostaglandin production toward anti-inflammatory pathways, reducing chronic disease risk.
Question 7: Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when a patient has at least three of five criteria; which combination below includes two correct criteria?
- Low HDL cholesterol and elevated LDL cholesterol
- Elevated fasting glucose and high triglycerides (Correct answer)
- High total cholesterol and low body weight
- Elevated creatinine and low blood pressure
Correct answer: Elevated fasting glucose and high triglycerides
Metabolic syndrome criteria include elevated fasting glucose (≥100 mg/dL) and high triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL), along with abdominal obesity, low HDL, and high blood pressure.
IIN Chronic Disease & Nutrition 2
Which dietary pattern is most strongly associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes in large epidemiological studies?