Omega-3 ‘may help to protect against type 2 diabetes’

Scientists in the US have shown that omega-3 fatty acid capsules could help to deliver lower risks of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.

By reviewing evidence from existing randomised clinical trials, the team was able to determine that fish oil supplements can raise levels of an important and beneficial hormone called adiponectin in the bloodstream.

Adiponectin has been shown to have beneficial effects on metabolic processes such as glucose regulation and the modulation of inflammation.

Though it has not yet been proven that this will translate into influencing the risk of diabetes and coronary heart disease, it nevertheless adds to the body of evidence highlighting the benefits of fish oil supplements.

Lead study author Dr Jason Wu of the Harvard School of Public Health said the results "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".

This week, a separate study from Michigan Technological University showed that fish oil can also help to mitigate the effects of mental stress on the heart.