Atherosclerosis: Reduced Risks in Type 2 Diabetes Patients Thanks to Fish Oil

The intake of Omega 3 fatty acids helps normalize the activity of paraoxonase, an enzyme that fights atherosclerosis and whose function is impaired in people with type 2 diabetes. This news comes from the Department of Nutrition and Biochemistry at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Tehran, Iran), where researchers evaluated the effect of these nutrients on several altered parameters in this type of diabetes. Their findings were published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that often develops over time but does not affect only the elderly. Several groups are at risk:

• Individuals with a family history of diabetes;
• Women who experienced gestational diabetes;
• Overweight or obese individuals;
• Those with high cholesterol or triglyceride levels;
• Sedentary lifestyle.

The disease is caused by insulin resistance, where the body's cells no longer effectively use insulin, the hormone controlling sugar utilization. This leads to increased blood glucose levels. However, altered blood sugar is not the only issue. Research has shown that patients with this disease also have lower than normal levels of vitamins A and C. Additionally, type 2 diabetics have reduced activity of the enzyme paraoxonase. This enzyme circulates in the blood associated with the so-called "good" cholesterol and plays a key role in preventing modifications of "bad" cholesterol that promote atherosclerosis.

Omega-3 Supports Paraoxonase Against Atherosclerosis

Iranian researchers studied the effects of Omega-3 supplementation on paraoxonase activity and the levels of vitamins A, C, and E. The study involved 80 type 2 diabetic patients who took either Omega-3 supplements (totaling 2.714 grams per day) or placebo for 8 weeks. Blood samples (10 ml fasting) were taken at the start and end of the treatment to measure vitamin levels and paraoxonase activity. Patients also completed dietary habit questionnaires before treatment. Statistical analysis showed that Omega-3 intake increased enzyme activity by about 42%, with no effect on vitamin A, C, or E concentrations.

Not Only Type 1 Diabetes

These results suggest that Omega-3s, already shown to benefit type 1 diabetes patients, also help normalize certain altered parameters in type 2 diabetes.

References

• Roqueta-Rivera M, et al. “Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation fully restores fertility and spermatogenesis in male delta-6 desaturase-null mice,” J Lipid Res. 2010 Feb;51(2):360-7.
• Safarinejad MR, et al. “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.