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By Jeffrey Kopman


There's something fishy about the news that omega-3 supplements may help fight type 2 diabetes. Researchers believe fish oil can help with glucose regulation, but they don't yet understand whether it has a direct impact on type 2 diabetes development, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.


Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health reviewed data from 14 studies involving 1,323 subjects to determine the effects of fish oil supplements on diabetes risk factors. In total, 682 subjects had taken fish oil supplements. The researchers found that fish oil was associated with an increase in the level of the hormone adiponectin - which effects glucose regulation and inflammation. Their findings confirmed previous animal studies that also found fish oil can raise the level of adiponectin in the bloodstream.




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Scott Drab, PharmD., CDE, BC-ADM, associate professor of pharmacy and therapeutics at the University of Pittsburgh, says people with diabetes can benefit from taking fish oil supplements. "Fish oil has anti-inflammatory properties, and because insulin resistance is associated with inflammation, we recommend fish oil to our patients," said Dr. Drab. "Anything used as an anti-inflammatory can help glucose levels."


Miracle Cure for Diabetes


It may help glucose levels, but the authors of the Harvard study were not convinced that the increase in adiponectin levels associated with fish oil could directly prevent type 2 diabetes.


"Although higher levels of adiponectin in the bloodstream have been linked to lower risk of diabetes, whether fish oil influences glucose metabolism and development of type 2 diabetes remains unclear," said the study's lead author, Jason Wu, PhD, in a press release. "However, results from our study suggest that higher intake of fish oil may moderately increase blood level of adiponectin, and these results support potential benefits of fish oil consumption on glucose control and fat cell metabolism."


Despite his endorsement of fish oil supplements for people with diabetes, Drab doesn't believe it's the answer to the diabetes problem.


"It's not our main treatment, but it's another notch in the belt in the fight against diabetes," Drab said. "Diet and exercise are probably better options than just taking fish oil."


Other Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids


This latest study of omega-3s study found a link between fish oil and diabetes. Other studies have found that they can be good for your health in other ways.


Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer and postpartum depression, help the brain function of Alzheimer's patients, and treat autoimmune diseases.


"Far From Fin-ished: Fish Oil May Help Fight Type 2 Diabetes, But Link Unclear" originally appeared on Everyday Health.


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  • Flaxseed Or Flaxseed Oil


    Flaxseed is one of the most highly-recommended plant sources for omega-3s. Ground flaxseed is a staple in my kitchen -- it keeps for a long time in the freezer, and because flaxseed is virtually tasteless, I throw it in all sorts of things -- cereal, oatmeal, smoothies -- to boost my omega-3 intake. You can use ground flaxseed goo as an egg substitute in vegan baking. Flaxseed oil has <a href="http://www.krispin.com/omega3.html#Supplementing" target="_hplink">7980 mg omega-3's per 1-tbsp serving</a>.

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    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alishav/3462217890/" target="_hplink">Alisha Vargas</a></em>




  • Chia Seeds


    Chia seeds are another plant source of omega-3's that I like to sneak into my diet. You can throw chia seeds into stir fry, salads, seitan, dips and more. Like ground flaxseed, chia seeds have a mild -- if any -- taste. But they'll add a dose of omega-3's and a slight crunch wherever they're added.


    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notahipster/4998594527/" target="_hplink">little blue hen</a></em>




  • Hemp Seeds


    Vegan and gluten-free, hemp seeds also have the most essential fatty acids of any nuts or seeds and a perfect 3:1 <a href="http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/16637630/ns/today-food/t/nutty-hemp-hot-food-trend/" target="_hplink">ratio of omega-3 to omega-6</a>.

    They're also high in protein, minerals and rare polyunsaturated fatty acids like gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and stearidonic acid (SDA). Like flax and chia seeds, you can sprinkle hemp seeds into lots of different things. Store in the freezer to keep them from going bad.


    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/restlessglobetrotter/3425782783/" target="_hplink">Jason Rogers</a></em>




  • Perilla Oil


    Perilla oil comes from the seeds of the herb perilla. Over 50 percent of perilla oil consists of ALA, with about <a href="http://www.krispin.com/omega3.html#Supplementing" target="_hplink">8960 mg omega-3 fatty acids</a> per tablespoon (compared to 1680 mg omega-6's).




  • Cauliflower


    "Many people are not aware that cauliflower contains a good amount of omega-3 essential fatty acids, making this veggie great for heart health," says nutritionist Margaux Rathbun. "In addition to the omega-3, cauliflower contains other heart-friendly nutrients including potassium, magnesium and niacin."

    <a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2390/2" target="_hplink">One cup contains about 37 mg of omega-3's</a>. To retain the nutrients in cauliflower, Rathbun recommends steaming it for no more than five to six minutes, then adding lemon juice and cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil.


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  • Hummus


    "Hummus is a vegan source of omega-3's," with about 300 mg in a one-cup serving, explains Charis Freiman-Mendel, author of "Cook Your Way Through the S.A.T.". That's because hummus is made with tahini, which is made from omega-3-packed sesame seeds. "Delicious, healthy, great brain food," says Freiman-Mendel.


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  • Purslane


    Purslane is a salad or cooking green with a slightly peppery taste. It's got <a href="http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20487719_5,00.html" target="_hplink">400 mg of omega-3's per serving</a>. It's also high in <a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2604/2" target="_hplink">vitamin A</a>, calcium, potassium and iron.




  • Brussels Sprouts


    One serving of Brussels sprouts contains about 430 milligrams of alpha-linolenic acid -- more than one-third of the <a href="http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/DRI//DRI_Energy/energy_full_report.pdf" target="_hplink">daily ALA amount recommended</a> by the National Academy of Sciences.

    "These tasty little green veggies are loaded with nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids," says nutritionist Margaux Rathbun. "They're the perfect food for promoting healthy and beautiful skin. Try steaming them for about five minutes to keep all of the health-promoting nutrients intact."

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