Fish oil pills have no benefit for type 2 diabetes patients, new study claims
| Updated: Aug 22, 2019, 15:09 IST
A new study conducted by a team from the University of East Anglia reveals that omega-3 fats have no beneficial impact on type 2 diabetes. Previous studies suggested omega 3 fats, also known as fish oil, can help protect against diabetes and even reverse the condition.
However, a review commissioned by the World Health Organisation (WHO) discovered omega 3 supplements offer no benefit. 58,000 participants were randomised into long-term trials. Researchers discovered those who were asked to consume more long-chain omega-3 fats or fish oils were also diagnosed with diabetes. Fish oil was also found to have no impact on blood glucose, insulin and glycated haemoglobin. However, the team did find worsening glucose metabolism in those who took high doses of fish oils.
"Our previous research has shown that long-chain omega 3 supplements, including fish oils, do not protect against conditions such as heart disease, stroke or death. This review shows that they do not prevent or treat diabetes either," lead author of the study Dr Lee Hooper, from UEA's Norwich Medical School, told a news portal. Adding,"Omega-3 supplements should not be encouraged for diabetes prevention or treatment. If people do choose to take supplementary fish oil capsules to treat or prevent diabetes, or to reduce levels of triglycerides in their blood, then they should use doses of less than 4.4 grams per day to avoid possible negative outcomes."
A small of omega 3, which is a type of fat, is important to maintain good health. You can find it in several food sources.Alpha¬linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the primary kinds of omega 3 fatty acids. You can obtain ALA from fats in plant foods like nuts and seeds. Meanwhile, fatty fish like salmon and even cod liver oil contain loads of EPA and DHA.Omega 3 fats are also available in the form of supplements.
"Oily fish can be a very nutritious food as part of a balanced diet, but we did not find enough trials that encouraged participants to eat more oily fish to know whether it is useful in preventing diabetes or improving glucose metabolism," first author Dr Julii Brainard told a news portal. Adding,"What we did find is that there is no demonstrable value in ordinary people taking omega 3 oil supplements for the prevention or treatment of diabetes."
Researchers hope to investigate omega-3 further to better understand its benefits. The study's findings were originally published in the British Medical Journal.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images
However, a review commissioned by the World Health Organisation (WHO) discovered omega 3 supplements offer no benefit. 58,000 participants were randomised into long-term trials. Researchers discovered those who were asked to consume more long-chain omega-3 fats or fish oils were also diagnosed with diabetes. Fish oil was also found to have no impact on blood glucose, insulin and glycated haemoglobin. However, the team did find worsening glucose metabolism in those who took high doses of fish oils.
"Our previous research has shown that long-chain omega 3 supplements, including fish oils, do not protect against conditions such as heart disease, stroke or death. This review shows that they do not prevent or treat diabetes either," lead author of the study Dr Lee Hooper, from UEA's Norwich Medical School, told a news portal. Adding,"Omega-3 supplements should not be encouraged for diabetes prevention or treatment. If people do choose to take supplementary fish oil capsules to treat or prevent diabetes, or to reduce levels of triglycerides in their blood, then they should use doses of less than 4.4 grams per day to avoid possible negative outcomes."
A small of omega 3, which is a type of fat, is important to maintain good health. You can find it in several food sources.Alpha¬linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the primary kinds of omega 3 fatty acids. You can obtain ALA from fats in plant foods like nuts and seeds. Meanwhile, fatty fish like salmon and even cod liver oil contain loads of EPA and DHA.Omega 3 fats are also available in the form of supplements.
"Oily fish can be a very nutritious food as part of a balanced diet, but we did not find enough trials that encouraged participants to eat more oily fish to know whether it is useful in preventing diabetes or improving glucose metabolism," first author Dr Julii Brainard told a news portal. Adding,"What we did find is that there is no demonstrable value in ordinary people taking omega 3 oil supplements for the prevention or treatment of diabetes."
Researchers hope to investigate omega-3 further to better understand its benefits. The study's findings were originally published in the British Medical Journal.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images