A new study has found that regular consumption of fish oil supplements, and in particular a high intake of omega-3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may be linked to a reduced risk of vascular complications in people with type 2 diabetes.
This study Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolismanalyzed data from 20,338 people with type 2 diabetes who reported using fish oil supplements and 4,874 patients who provided blood samples for omega-3 fatty acid testing.
Over an average follow-up period of 13.2 years, people who regularly took fish oil supplements had a 10% lower risk of major vascular disease, such as coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease, and an 11% lower risk of minor complications, such as diabetic kidney disease and retinopathy.
Higher plasma levels of omega-3 PUFAs, especially DHA, were associated with a lower risk of these complications.
The study suggests that the benefits may be due to improved lipid profiles and reduced inflammation.
Although the study showed a strong correlation, it was observational and could not prove a direct causal relationship.
