Fish Oil and Diabetes - Benefits

Is there any beneficial link between consuming fish oil and diabetes prevention or relief?

Diabetes mellitus is a condition whereby one is unable to metabolize carbohydrates due to lack of production or proper utilization of insulin in the body. Because diabetics cannot properly process glucose, their blood glucose levels tend to be elevated, while their bodily cells, which need the glucose for energy production, could actually be starved of this fuel.

Poor healing of wounds, higher infection risk, poor circulation, and problems with the eyes, heart, kidneys and nerves are some health problems associated with diabetes.

Essential fatty acids such as omega 3 fatty acids are precursors to compounds in the body called prostaglandins. These compounds have many different functions, including the controlling of pain and inflammation. They may also protect against diabetes. The beneficial link between consuming fish oil and diabetes prevention or relief thus exists as fish oil is rich in the omega 3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA.

The protective effects linking fish oil and diabetes is partly down to the ability of omega 3 fatty acids to control and regulate blood sugar levels. This is mentioned by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S. in his book "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why" as well as by Phuli Cohan in the book "The Natural Hormone Makeover: 10 Steps to Rejuvenate Your Health and Rediscover Your Inner Glow".

In her book "Whole Foods Companion: A Guide For Adventurous Cooks, Curious Shoppers, and lovers of natural foods", Dianne Onstad also describes the ability of omega 3 fatty acids to protect against "most degenerative diseases", including diabetes.

Further, years of sugar over-consumption causes cellular damage in the body, and a good supply of essential fatty acids can help the body to repair and rejuvenate.

Fish oil can certainly help to improve the diabetes condition, and many persons suffering from diabetes have reported good results with the use of fish oil. Some sources claim that fish oil may actually raise blood sugar levels, although this effect could just be because of small weight increases associated with high dose fish oil consumption.

In any case, to be safe, it may be a good idea for diabetics to only try this treatment after consulting with a suitable natural health care practitioner. Some research has indicated that this "side effect" of consuming fish oil may be averted by adding vitamin E to the fish oil, or by exercising for 30 minutes three times each week.

It is important to be realistic, and not expect that one can consume fish oil and diabetes will quickly and easily go away totally.

The beneficial connection between consuming fish oil and diabetes protection also takes place in an indirect way. For example, diabetics are more susceptible to various cardiovascular conditions and diseases, such as atherosclerosis and stroke. Because the omega 3 fatty acids are so effective at improving cardiovascular health, they offer a significant measure of protection to persons suffering from diabetes, too. These essential fatty acids can also help to regulate and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in diabetics.

In addition, fish oil has been used as a treatment for diabetic neuropathy, although evidence of its effectiveness in this regard is still lacking. This condition is basically a neuropathic disorder which is linked to diabetes mellitus, and is believed to be associated with related injuries to small blood vessels which supply nerves. Some typical conditions associated with diabetic neuropathy include third nerve palsy, diabetic amyotrophy and autonomic neuropathy.