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Research: WOODMAN and co-workers,
Listed in Issue 86
Abstract
WOODMAN and co-workers, Department of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia, rwoodman@cyllene.uwa.edu.au, measure the effects of purified omega-3 fatty acids on glycaemic control, blood pressure, and serum lipids in type 2 diabetes patients .
Background
Omega-3 fatty acids lower blood pressure, improve lipids, and benefit other cardiovascular disease risk factors . The aim of this study was to determine their effects on insulin sensitivity, stimulated insulin secretion, blood pressure, and serum lipids in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients treated for hypertension .
Methodology
Randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial of 59 patients who were randomly assigned to consume 4g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or olive oil per day for 6 weeks in addition to their usual diet.
Results
Fasting glucose increased in both the EPA and SHA groups as compared to the olive oil (control ) group. Neither EPA nor DHA had any significant effects on glycated hemoglobin, fasting insulin or C- peptide, insulin sensitivity or secretion, or blood pressure . Serum triglycerides in the EPA and DHA groups decreased . No significant changes in serum total, LDL, or HDL cholesterol were found.
Conclusion
The omega-3 fatty acids studied here had beneficial effects on lipid profile but adverse effects on short-term glycaemic control in diabetic patients . The overall implications for cardiovascular disease require long-term study .
References
Woodman RJ, Mori TA, Burke V, Puddey IB, Watts GF, Beilin LJ, et al. Effects of purified eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids on glycemic control, blood pressure, and serum lipids in type 2 diabetic patients with treated hypertension. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 76 (5): 1007-1015, Nov 2002.
Comment
This first study above found that the addition of low levels of omega-3 fatty acids to the diets of diabetics was beneficial to blood pressure and metabolic profile; the second study by Woodman et al found that omega-3 fatty acids benefitted the lipid profile, but had adverse effects on short term glycaemic control. Hopefully this different outcomes will be resolved in due course.
