Do omega-3s help prevent type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes: help from Omega 3 EPA and DHA?
The high concentration of Omega 3 in serum may protect against type 2 diabetes. In middle-aged men, in fact, high fish consumption, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and DPA (docosapentaenoic acid) appears to be associated with an approximately 30 percent reduction in the risk of developing the disease.
These data come from a study conducted at the University of Easter Finland in Kuopio, Finland, as part of an epidemiological research project that began in 1980. The work, published in the journal Diabetes Care, sheds new light on the association between fish consumption and diabetes risk,
Omega-3 and type 2 diabetes: an unclear link
Fish oil is rich in Omega-3, particularly DHA, EPA, DPA and to a lesser extent ALA (alpha linoleic acid) found mainly in seed oil These molecules perform several functions in the body and are known to be present in cell membranes, maintaining their integrity and having an 'anti-inflammatory actionOmega-3s are also able to lower plasma triglyceride levels, reducing cardiovascular risk. These properties of theirs have suggested in recent years that Omega-3s could counteract the onset of type 2 diabetes. This is the most common form of diabetes and is characterized by a poor response to insulin. One of the main predisposing factors for diabetes is being overweight. In fact, the link between Omega -3 and diabetic disease is rather contradictory. In fact, some studies report evidence on the protective role of these polyunsaturated fatty acids, while others do not confirm the link. On the other hand, it has been confirmed that weight control, exercise, and linoleic acid intake are factors that reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The protective action of DHA, EPA and DPA
The researchers involved 2212 healthy Finnish men who were between the ages of 42 and 60 at the beginning of the study, between 1984 and 1989. Of each subject, the serum concentration of DHA, EPA, DPA, and ALA was analyzed In addition, the concentration of mercury, a metal that easily accumulates in fish, which can modify the effects of Omega-3s in the human body, was determined by hair analysis. During the follow-up period of about 19 years, 422 men had developed type 2 diabetes. Dividing the subjects into 4 groups, based on 4 ranges of Omega-3 concentration, the researchers observed that for men who had consumed a higher amount of EPA + DHA + DPA, the risk of being affected by diabetes was 33% lower than that of those showing the lowest concentration. In contrast, no associations were evident between the onset of diabetes and concentrations of ALA, EPA + DHA or mercury
Omega-3, varied diet and exercise to prevent diabetes
According to the researchers, the observed effects may be due to the ability of Omega-3s to reduce 'adiposity, hypertension and inflammation, all risk factors for type 2 diabetes. And probably also due to their action on lipid and glucose metabolism itself. The results of this study therefore confirm that a diet rich in fish high in Omega-3s, such as salmon, sardines, anchovies and herring, can help prevent diabetic disease, along, of course, with a proper lifestyle, characterized by exercise, weight control and good nutrition
Source: Virtanen JK, Mursu J, Voutilainen S, Uusitupa M, Tuomainen TP." Serum omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and risk of incident type 2 diabetes in men: the kuopio ischemic heart disease risk factor study" Diabetes Care. 2014 Jan;37(1):189-96. doi: 10.2337/dc13-1504.
