Lee Swanson Research Update

Omega-3s Benefit Type II Diabetics

June 2005

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) may benefit patients with diabetes, according to a review published in the March issue of the ,cite> Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

Benefits of n-3 LC-PUFAs for type II diabetes listed in the review include lower prevalence of glucose intolerance in populations consuming large amounts of marine n-3 LC-PUFAs; cardioprotective effects without adverse effects on glucose control and insulin activity; lower risk of primary cardiac arrest; reduced cardiovascular mortality, particularly sudden cardiac death; reduced triglyceride levels; increased high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol) levels; improved endothelial function; reduced platelet aggregability; and lower blood pressure.

The authors of the review concluded the benefits of n-3 LC-PUFAs outweigh the possible modest increase in low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) levels from consumption of n-3 LC-PUFAs.

Journal of the American Dietetic Association 105(3):428-440, 2005

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