Fish Oil and its Connection to Blood Vessel Health
by Integrated Diabetes Services
Fish oil contains high amounts of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and these PUFAs are well known for their anti-inflammatory properties, even contributing to developing less cardiovascular disease.
A recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism by Tian and Guo aimed to determine if there is an added benefit for people living with type 2 diabetes to supplement with fish oil.
The researchers studied if people taking omega-3 fatty acids have reduced macrovascular complications (such as heart disease and stroke) and microvascular complications (such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy). As chronic inflammation can be an underlying factor in developing both macro and microvascular complications, it is not a big jump to study if PUFAs can decrease the frequency of these diseases with consistent use. Additionally, PUFAs are known to have a decreasing impact on total cholesterol, triglycerides and other lipid benchmarks that improve cardiovascular health.
The researchers did ultimately report that the incidence of both macrovascular and microvascular complications were lower among patients who regularly consumed fish oil supplements over a 13 year timeline. This correlated to a lower risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events, as well as a decreased incidence of diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy.
While the study primarily focused on patients with type 2 diabetes, these findings can be applied to those living with type 1 diabetes. People living with T1D are also at risk for similar complications.
For individuals with diabetes, especially those concerned about complications, considering fish oil supplements could be a beneficial addition to their management plan. However, personalization with any supplementation program is imperative and health care providers should be consulted before starting any new over-the-counter supplement.
If you aren’t sure how to manage your diet or have no idea where to start, give us a call. We know what it is like to adjust nutrition intake to meet glucose targets and goals. We are here to help!
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