Do Omega-3 Fatty Acids Cause Glucose Levels To Rise?

“You are not ill; your pancreas is just being lazy!” Make a note and unveil the super query crossing our minds lately: Do Omega-3 Fatty Acids Cause Glucose Levels To Rise?

It’s obvious to see why specialists advocate omega-3 fatty acids as part of a balanced diet if you have diabetes, given that they’ve been proven to assist people to control their body weight and sugar levels.

High doses of omega-3 fatty acids may increase plasma blood sugar levels by boosting glycerol gluconeogenesis, which may contribute to glycemic control deterioration with long-term treatment.

Let’s have a look at how and to what degree omega 3 can help diabetics, as well as what research has to say about it.

Does omega 3 fatty acid cause glucose levels rise?

Omega-3 fatty acids are a form of fat that may be good for people’s overall health and have been connected to the prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes. It’s found in abundance in oily fish like salmon and sardines.

Patients with type 2 diabetes have higher levels of “bad lipids” called triglycerides and lower levels of “good cholesterol” called HDL. In diabetic patients, the combination of high triglycerides and low HDL greatly raises their risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. 

Omega 3 fatty acids are helpful in decreasing triglycerides and increasing good cholesterol, minimizing the risk of heart disease in those with type 2 diabetes. 

Omega 3 may help reduce inflammation in the body, which is advantageous to patients with diabetes mellitus who frequently develop “aggressive” cholesterol deposits that can rupture and lead to heart disease, strokes, and other vascular issues.

A study was published in the British Medical Journal and was titled “Omega-3, omega-6, and total dietary polyunsaturated fat for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: comprehensive review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials” [1].

The researchers looked at data from 83 randomized clinical trials that lasted at least 24 weeks to see if there was a link between diabetes and omega fatty acid consumption. 

The researchers discovered that individuals who were randomly assigned to consume more long-chain omega-3 fats (fish oils) had the same chance of being diagnosed with diabetes as those who did not.

Omega 3 fatty acids and diabetes

Quite often your body doesn’t produce enough or any insulin, or it doesn’t use it properly. Glucose lingers in your bloodstream and does not reach your cells as an outcome.

Having too much glucose in your blood might lead to health issues over time. Although there is no cure for diabetes, you may make efforts to manage it and remain fit.

Diabetes is also referred to as “a touch of sugar” or “borderline diabetes.” These words imply that someone does not have diabetes or has a milder form of the disease, however, diabetes is not to be taken lightly [2].

Insulin is required by the body to carry glucose into cells, where it is required for energy production. Glucose builds up in the bloodstream without insulin-producing beta cells, and the body cannot utilize it for energy.

Type 1 diabetes has yet to be identified as a cause, and there is currently no cure. The most common treatment method is insulin administration, although the ultimate goal of medical research is to halt or reverse the body’s immune system from attacking its own beta cells [2].

A consistent diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids can preserve the body’s vascular system while also reducing viscosity, or “thickened blood flow,” which is common in diabetics.

At least 1-2 weekly portions of a non-fried, omega-3-rich fish (such as wild-caught Pacific salmon) are sufficient to raise omega-3 levels in your blood and provide the advantages described above. Walnuts and flax seeds are also good sources of Omega 3.

Omega 3-6-9 benefits for diabetes

Given their possible participation in various pathophysiological processes linked to cardiovascular disease, polyunsaturated fatty acids are of special relevance in dietary therapy for diabetes. 

Omega 3 and Omega 6 benefits

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are both effective in improving lipid profiles in healthy people and type 2 diabetics.  Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation decreases triglycerides and VLDL cholesterol. They may, however, raise LDL cholesterol levels [3].

According to the most recent research, omega-3 fatty acids have no link to mortality or cardiovascular disease. Similarly, omega-3 supplementation appears to have little effect on glucose management, hypertension, or the risk of microvascular problems. 

Omega 9 benefits

The majority of studies focused on people with type 2 diabetes, and future studies should concentrate on type 1 diabetic patients. Furthermore, the function of omega-9 fatty acids is mainly unknown.

People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease. Dietary fish oils are known to decrease triglyceride levels, but nothing is known about their impact on cholesterol, glycemic management, and vascular consequences [4].

Omega 3 food sources

Fatty fish, algae, and a variety of high-fat plant foods are all good sources of omega-3 fats.

Here’s a list of 6 foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Cod liver oil

You can call cod liver oil a supplement rather than a food. Its oil comes from codfish livers, as the name suggests. This oil is strong in omega-3 fatty acids as well as vitamin D and vitamin A, giving 170 % and 453 % of the RDIs (recommended daily intake), respectively, in one tablespoon [5].

As a result, one tablespoon of cod liver oil is more than enough to meet your nutritional needs for three essential nutrients.

Take no more than one tablespoon at a time, as too much vitamin A can be dangerous. 2,682 mg of omega-3 per tablespoon is the recommended dosage [5].

Flaxseed 

Flaxseeds are little brown or yellow seeds with a nutty flavor. They’re frequently ground, milled, or employed in the production of oil.

By far the richest whole-food source of the omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid are these seeds (ALA). Flaxseed oil is therefore frequently used as an omega-3 supplement.

Flax seeds are also high in fiber, magnesium, and other vitamins and minerals. When compared to many of the oily plant seeds, they have a superb omega-6 to omega-3 ratio [6].

2,350 mg omega-3 / tablespoon (10.3 gram) of the whole seeds and 7,260 mg per tablespoon (13.6 gram) of oil [6].

Chia seeds

Chia seeds are an excellent source of manganese, selenium, magnesium, and a few other minerals [7].

Chia seeds include 5 g of protein every 1-ounce (28-gram) serving, which includes all eight necessary amino acids. Omega-3 content per ounce is 5,060 mg (28 grams) [7].

Walnuts

Walnuts are a high-fiber, high-nutrient food. They also comprise copper, manganese, vitamin E, and other vital plant chemicals in them.

Make sure not to discard the skin, as it contains the majority of the walnut’s phenol antioxidants, which are beneficial to one’s health. 14 halves of walnuts will provide 2,570 mg of omega-3 per ounce (28 gram) [8].

Perilla oil

This oil, made from perilla seeds, is commonly used as a condiment and cooking oil in Korean cuisine.

It is indeed a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as being a versatile and tasty ingredient. Perilla oil can be a good option for vegetarians.

Researchers observed that replacing soybean oil with perilla oil caused ALA levels in the blood to increase in 20 older adults in a study. It also resulted in an increase in EPA and DHA blood levels over time [9].

Brussel sprouts

Brussels sprouts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, in addition to being high in vitamin K, vitamin C, and fiber. Brussels sprouts have been connected to a variety of health benefits due to their high content of omega-3 fatty acids and other minerals.

One study discovered that eating more cruciferous veggies is linked to a nearly 16 % reduced risk of heart disease.

About 44 mg of ALA can be found in a half-cup (44 gram) of uncooked Brussels. Cooked Brussels sprouts, on the other hand, have three times as many omega-3 fatty acids, with each half-cup (78 gram) portion containing 135 mg [10].

FAQs

Does omega 3 affect insulin?

Not all dietary lipids affect cellular energy metabolism in the same way. Dietary omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been reported to help prevent insulin resistance via altering mitochondrial bioenergetics and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Does omega 3 raise blood glucose levels?

Omega 3 fatty acids can assist people with type 2 diabetes lower their triglycerides and raise their good cholesterol. High amounts of omega-3 fatty acids can accelerate glucose production, which could lead to an increase in blood sugar, while research data is conflicting.

Does fish oil affect insulin?

Fish oil intake for a short period has been linked to improved insulin sensitivity in individuals with metabolic diseases [11]. However, some research suggests that fish oil supplementation improves blood lipid profiles but does not affect the blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes.

What’s next?

  1. Can You Take Moringa And Ashwagandha Together?
  2. Is Paneer Good For Diabetes?

Wrapping up

There is no thorough research suggesting the role of  Omega 3 in elevating blood glucose levels but high levels may increase glucose levels. You can try supplements like ashwagandha or shilajit for lowering blood glucose levels.

Most health experts agree that food is the best source of omega-3. Whole diets supply several nutrients in addition to omega-3s. All of these factors work in tandem to maintain your heart health.

References

  1. Brown, Tracey J et al. “Omega-3, omega-6, and total dietary polyunsaturated fat for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” BMJ (Clinical research ed.) (2019), vol. 366 l4697.
  2. “What is diabetes?”, NIH, (2022).
  3. Jeppesen, Charlotte et al. “Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and type 2 diabetes.” Current diabetes reports vol. 13,2 (2013): 279-88.
  4. Farmer, A et al. “Fish oil in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.” The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 3 (2001): CD003205.
  5. “Fish oil, cod liver”, FDA, (2022). 
  6. “Seeds, flaxseed”, FDA, (2022).
  7. “Seeds, chia seeds, dried”, FDA, (2022).
  8. “Nuts, walnuts, English”, FDA, (2022).
  9. Ezaki, O et al. “Long-term effects of dietary alpha-linolenic acid from perilla oil on serum fatty acids composition and on the risk factors of coronary heart disease in Japanese elderly subjects.” Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology vol. 45,6 (1999): 759-72.
  10. “Brussel sprouts, raw”, FDA, (2022). 
  11. Gao, Huanqing et al. “Fish oil supplementation and insulin sensitivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Lipids in health and disease, (2017), vol. 16,1 131. 

 

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