Omega-3 – More Than A Fish Tale

Authors: Janice Newell Bissex, M.S., R.D., and Liz Weiss, M.S., R.D.
Excerpt from: Diabetic Living, Spring 2007

Rich in Health Benefits

Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fats – namely eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – seems especially important for people with diabetes, whose risk of heart disease is three times higher than normal. According to a study from the Harvard School of Public Health, women with type 2 diabetes who ate fish (a rich source of omega-3s) at least one to three times a month had a 40 percent lower risk of heart disease than those who at fish less than once a month.

Omega-3 fats work wonders by lowering triglycerides and blood pressure, preventing blood clots, and raising HDL (good) cholesterol. And, according to Joyce Nettleton, Ph.D., R.D., and author of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Health, “Preliminary research shows a diet high in omega-3 fats and low in saturated fat may protect against diabetes.” When coupled with weight loss and physical activity, omega-3s can help to slow the progression of glucose intolerance to full-blown type 2 diabetes in overweight people.”