Hooked to Fish Oil? It Has No Benefits for Type 2 Diabetics

The conclusion was that increasing omega-3, omega-6, or total PUFA has little or no effect on type 2 diabetes.

The conclusion was that increasing omega-3, omega-6, or total PUFA has little or no effect on prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

(Photo: iStock)

After being told repeatedly to add fish oil to their list of supplements, a new study now claims Omega 3 has no additional benefits for Type 2 diabetics.

The report was a review of over 80 previous studies and was published in British Medical Journal.

The aim was to assess effects of increasing omega-3, omega-6, and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on diabetes diagnosis and glucose metabolism.

The conclusion was that increasing omega-3, omega-6, or total PUFA has little or no effect on prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

The authors told BBC that they found “no harm and no benefit” of taking these pills.

"This is really expensive stuff. If somebody's at risk of diabetes, there are much better things to spend money on, like a physical activity - or oily fish," said Dr Lee Hooper.

That’s the advice most nutritionists give. Increase your intake of oily fish or add it to your diet atleast twice a week. Buying expensive supplements has often been equated to expensive pee.

Omega-3 are essential fatty acids (EFAs) that cannot be produced by the body itself. They are polyunsaturated fats that have to be consumed using food items (or supplements, only after advise by a doctor).

Speaking to FIT earlier, nutritionist Kavita Devgan said, that the recommended intake of omega-3 includes either consuming a 100gm of fatty fish twice a week or 25gm of flax seed or methi seeds at least 4-5 times a week.

Omega 3 Rich Foods

• Trout: Packed with omega-3s, is also a good source of B vitamins, which can help improve energy levels and keep hair, nails and skin healthy.
• Mackerel: Choose fresh mackerel rather than smoked or tinned. The smoking process destroys some of the nutrients and canned mackerel has lower levels of omega-3s. It is also a good source of selenium, which reduces risk of cancer and protects against heart disease, as well as vitamins B6 and B12.
• Salmon: Salmon is ahead of trout and mackerel, containing 2.7g of omega-3 per 100g, is also packed with vitamins A and D, plus the B vitamins.
• Black Pomfret
• Surmayi
• Singhara
• Hilsa
• Rohu
• Shellfish: Although it’s high in cholesterol, the benefits of omega 3 far outweigh that.

For vegetarians, Kavita recommends fats and oils of mustard seeds, methi seeds, urad dal, rajma, soybeans, lobia, walnuts, bajra. Additionally, olive, canola, flaxseed and walnut oils can also be used as your cooking medium.