Fish protects diabetic hearts too
11 April 2003
Women with diabetes who regularly eat fish or take fish oil supplements are less likely to have coronary heart disease or die from any cause, say US researchers.
Their analysis of data from the Nurses Health Study, which included more than 5100 women with type II diabetes who were free from cardiovascular disease at the beginning of the study, found that the more fish or fish oils that the women ate, the greater the protective effect (Circulation 2003; 107: 1852-57).
The researchers found that even eating fish one to 3 times a month reduced the risk of coronary heart disease.
The study cited 2 meta-analyses (analyses examining the combined results of independent studies) that found no significant adverse effects of fish oil supplements on blood glucose control, despite the lowering effect of fish oil on blood triglyceride (fat) levels.
The researchers acknowledged that there was some evidence that fish oil supplements may lead to a slight increase in LDL (low-density lipoprotein, so-called 'bad' cholesterol) in people with diabetes, but said this area would need further study.
Last Reviewed: 14 April 2003
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 11/4/03
