Diabetes::Will Omega-3 Fish Oil Help Diabetes Sufferers?

How can fish oil help diabetes sufferers?  Worldwide, over 194 million people suffer from diabetes.  It contributes to over 200,000 deaths per year.  Complications from the disease include blindness, kidney disease and nerve damage.  It is the most common cause of limb amputations not due to injury and it increases the risk of heart disease by 300%. 

Fish Oil Benefits - Diabetes

There have been hundreds of published studies concerning omega-3 fatty acids and type II diabetes, the most common type.  But, supplementation may also be beneficial for people with type I.  Primarily, the studies have shown that a molecularly distilled, high quality fish oil supplement helps reduce the risk of the complications mentioned above.  Supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids is particularly beneficial when cholesterol levels are also too high, a common problem in type II diabetics.

Healthy Diet is Important

Healthy diet is, of course, a must.  Foods that should be avoided completely by people with type II diabetes include bread, white flour, white rice, sugar and white potatoes.  Those are simple carbohydrates that are digested too quickly and cause a spike in blood sugar levels.  Trans-fats and omega6s should also be avoided. 

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains (oatmeal, wild rice), beans, legumes, fish and seafood, soy, Asian mushrooms, herbs, spices, cinnamon and unsweetened teas should be the dietary staples, being mindful of any food allergies.  Even if a person does regularly eat fish and seafood, a fish oil supplement is recommended by many doctors, because of all of the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. Eating fish is recommended but be careful since some fish types have more mercury than others.  Distilled Fish Oil, the one I recommend, does not.  It is clean and healthfully beneficial.  Not all fish oil is equal. Even those found in health food stores can be of low, questionable quality.
 
Supplementation is a way to increase intake of the nutrients, without greatly increasing caloric intake.  That’s important because 70-90% of type II diabetes sufferers are overweight.

Depression & Fish Oil

Depression is a common problem among people that suffer from all types of diabetes, as well as those who are overweight.  Recent studies suggest that fish oil is a natural anti-depressant.  Its anti-inflammatory activity is well known. 

Joint Pain Relief

Diabetics often suffer from joint pain and stiffness.  Nerve damage is due to reduced blood flow to the nerves.  Reduced blood flow is caused by inflammation and clots in the blood vessels.  Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-coagulants.  They prevent blood clots from forming.

More Fish Oil Benefits

The benefits that have already been mentioned are enough to confidently suggest supplementation.  But, a recent study conducted by the University of California indicates that there are even more benefits for people with type II.

In type I, the problem is damage or death of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.  In type II, there are two problems; decreased insulin production and decreased insulin sensitivity or resistance.  The cells of the body stop responding to insulin, for unknown reasons.  Normally, insulin lets the cells know that glucose is available to be used for energy.  If the glucose is not used by the cells, it builds up in the bloodstream, damaging the organs.

The recent study concludes that fish oil containing omega-3 fatty acids can prevent and reverse insulin resistance, as part of an overall healthy lifestyle and diet.  It may be possible to prevent type II diabetes, entirely.  For more information on diabetes and fish oil benefits, please visit my website listed below. Thanks, Larry L. Taylor