Omega-3 and Diabetes

The Miracle Supplement?

Omega-3 and diabetes has been getting a tremendous amount of attention lately, but this shouldn't surprise you. Unless you've been living as a monk, you have heard of omega-3 and the amazing impact it can have on your health.

Anyone familiar with the New York Times bestselling author Dr. Nicholas Perricone, knows the value he and others place on omega 3 for good health. Scientists have also found is that omega 3 and diabetes health is very important.

Overview

Technically, omega 3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that naturally occurs primarily in fish, fish oil, walnuts, wheat germ and vegetable oil (canola and soybean).

Omega-3 is vital for multiple bodily processes, including the cellular transfer of calcium and other substances through cell membranes, muscle movement, blood clotting, digestion, fertility and cell growth.

There is a tremendous amount of focus on omega 3 as a protection against heart disease, inflammation reducer and lowering cholesterol. According to experts like Dr. Perricone, he takes the argument one further step and claims that the lack of omega 3 in one's diet may be the cause for the rise in disorders such as obesity, Alzheimer's, ADHD, depression and, yes, diabetes.

He quips that if we all just ate a can of sardines a day, we would age better and be more beautiful. The flip side would be that we could also better control our blood sugar levels.

What do the Scientists say about Omega-3 and Diabetes?

So, what does the science say about omega-3 and diabetes? Ignoring any diabetes related studies, omega -3 has been shown to reduce cholesterol and reduce instances of cardiovascular disease in numerous studies. As cardiovascular disease is a major concern for diabetics, omega 3 may be a good choice for those seeking to reduce this complication.

There appears to be at least one tangential study where the effect of omega 3 on diabetics was discussed. The study was not specifically aimed at diabetics, meaning some of the people in the study had diabetes, but not all.

The study found that omega 3 had no affect on controlling blood glucose levels. However, both the Americans with Diabetes and American Heart Association advocate omega 3 for its health benefits.

Another study was done by a researcher at the University of Virginia. The issue studied was the rise in incidences of diabetes in Inuit populations. Traditionally, Inuits ate a diet high in fish, and correspondingly, omega 3.

As a more western diet has been introduced, the occurrences of diabetes have soared. The UVA study took a small group (44) of Inuits with early signs of diabetes. With a controlled diet of traditional food (high in fish, low in saturated fat), no one in the study developed diabetes after four years.

Other Resources

If you want to read more how fish oil works for diabetics, please go to Fish Oil And Diabetes