Atherosclerosis: less risk in patients with Type 2 diabetes thanks to fish oil

Intake of omega-3 fatty acids brings the activity of paraoxonase, an enzyme that counteracts atherosclerosis and whose function is reduced in those with type 2 diabetes, back to normal. The news comes from the department of nutrition and biochemistry at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Tehran, Iran), where a group of researchers evaluated the effect of these nutrients on some altered parameters in this type of diabetes. The scientists' findings were published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that often develops with age, but it does not only affect the elderly. In fact, the risk groups are diverse:

- Those who have a family history of diabetes;

- Women who suffered from it in pregnancy;

- Those who are overweight or obese;

- Those who have cholesterol or triglyceride levels that are too high;

- Those who lead sedentary lives.

Insulin resistance is the cause of the disease. In this condition, the body's cells are no longer able to use insulin, the hormone that controls sugar use. In this situation, blood glucose concentration increases significantly. However, so-called blood glucose is not the only factor that is altered. In fact, some research has found the following in sufferers of this condition Vitamin A and C levels lower than normal. Not only that, those who suffer from this form of diabetes are also characterized by lower activity of the enzyme paraoxonase. This molecule circulates in the blood associated with so-called "good" cholesterol and has an important function in counteracting changes in "bad" cholesterol that promoteatherosclerosis.

Omega-3 supporting paraoxonase against atherosclerosis

Iranian scientists studied the effects exerted by Omega-3 taken in the form of dietary supplements on paraoxonase activity and vitamin A, C and E levels. The research involved 80 patients with type 2 diabetes who were prescribed Omega-3s (a total of 2.714 grams per day) or a placebo for 8 weeks. At the beginning and end of the treatment period, the researchers took 10 milliliters of blood from each patient (fasting). Measured in the samples were the levels of the 3 vitamins as well as paraoxonase activity. All patients also completed a questionnaire on their eating habits. Statistical analysis of the collected data showed that Omega-3 intake increased the activity of the enzyme by approximately 42%. In contrast, no effect of these nutrients on vitamin A, C or E concentrations was detected.

Not only diabetes 1

The findings indicate that Omega-3s, whose benefits for those with type 1 diabetes have already been demonstrated by other research, also help normalize some altered parameters in type 2 diabetes.    

Source 

1. Roqueta-Rivera M, Stroud CK, Haschek WM, Akare SJ, Segre M, Brush RS, Agbaga MP, Anderson RE, Hess RA, Nakamura MT, "Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation fully restores fertility and spermatogenesis in male delta-6 desaturase-null mice," J Lipid Res. 2010 Feb;51(2):360-7. Epub 2009 Aug 18 

2. Safarinejad MR, Hosseini SY, Dadkhah F, Asgari MA, "Relationship of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids with semen characteristics, and anti-oxidant status of seminal plasma: a comparison between fertile and infertile men," Clin Nutr. 2010 Feb;29(1):100-5. Epub 2009 Aug 8.