Omega-3 Fatty Acids Consumption Linked To Lower Type 1 Diabetes Risk For Higher Risk

25 Sep 2007

Children who are at higher risk of developing Diabetes Type 1 might lower that risk if they regularly consume omega-3 fatty acids, according to preliminary research. You can read about this in a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

The authors wrote "Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreatic islets. Although it is not yet known what initiates the autoimmune process, it is likely that both genetic background and environmental factors contribute to the disease process." They also explained that some dietary factors have been linked to the onset of Diabetes Type 1, as well as the autoimmune process that eventually leads to the disease.

Jill M. Norris, M.P.H., Ph.D., University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, and team wanted to find out whether the regular intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids were linked to the development of pancreatic islet autoimmunity in children. The study involved 1,770 children, during the period 1994-2006; they were all at higher risk for developing Diabetes Type 1. To be classed as higher risk the children either had a sibling or parent with the disease, or were in possession of a high diabetes risk HLA (human leukocyte antigen) genotype. They were all followed up 6.2 years later (average). Islet autoimmunity was assessed in association with reported dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids starting at age 1 year. The main source of marine polyunsaturated fatty acids is fish. They measured childhood diets using a FFQ (food frequency questionnaire).

A case-cohort study, involving 244 children was also carried out in which the risk of IA by polyunsaturated fatty acid content of erythrocyte membranes (outer portion of the red blood cell) was checked.

During the follow-up 58 children became positive for IA. Adjusting for HLA type, prevalence of diabetes type 1 in the family, total caloric intake, and total omega-6 fatty acid intake, total omega-3 fatty acid intake reduced IA risk by 55%. The link was even stronger when the definition of the outcome was limited to those positive for two or more autoantibodies.

The authors concluded "Our study suggests that higher consumption of total omega-3 fatty acids, which was reported on the FFQ, is associated with a lower risk of IA in children at increased genetic risk of type 1 diabetes."

-- JAMA 2007;298(12):1420-1428

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
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