The link between diabetes and inflammation has been attracting significant attention from scientists. The findings are interesting, to say the least. But before we take a look at them, a brief overview of diabetes is helpful to put them in context.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition that results in elevated levels of sugar in the blood, which hasn’t been sufficiently dealt with by the body’s insulin.
It’s necessary to keep in mind that there are two types of diabetes that are very different to each other.
- Type 1 Diabetes is also known as insulin dependent diabetes. It affects only 5-10% of diabetes sufferers, and usually develops at a young age. The cause is the body’s immune system, which attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with this type of diabetes must inject insulin on a daily basis.
- Type 2 Diabetes is by far the most common form of diabetes. In this case, the pancreas produces insulin in small quantities, but not enough to fuel the cells. The cells may also become resistant to what little insulin there is. Traditionally, obesity has been looked upon as a major contributing factor to this type of diabetes, and it can usually be effectively control be diet and exercise.
What many people don’t know and what isn’t obvious, but what has been confirmed by research, is that inflammation plays a key role in both type 1 and 2 diabetes.
Unfortunately, the why and how still requires a lot more work by scientists to find detailed answers for.
Diabetes and Inflammation: The Findings So Far
In regards to type 1 diabetes, it’s thought that all autoimmune diseases involve chronic inflammation. For example, the inflammatory reaction in type 1 diabetes where the beta cells are attacked is called insulitis. Inflammation can also spread from one area of the body to another. This process may be involved in type 1 diabetes, where inflammation in the intestine may spread to the beta cells in the pancreas.
Interestingly, people with type 1 diabetes, even those with good blood sugar control, have higher levels of inflammatory markers than those without diabetes. This article provides excellent references.
As far as type 2 diabetes is concerned, a number of scientific studies have confirmed a link between inflammation in the fat of obese people and the development of insulin resistance. This is one such study.
The Roles of Omega 3 Fatty Acids
In 2010, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine identified what makes Omega-3 fatty acids so effective in reducing chronic inflammation and insulin resistance.
According to the lead researcher, Jerrold Olefsky MD, when certain cells are exposed to Omega-3, specifically DHA and EPA, cell receptors are activated which generate a strong anti-inflammatory effect.
However, he said more work is required to see if fish oil (which is high in Omega-3s) is practical as a therapeutic agent. For example, it remains unclear how much fish oil constitutes a safe, effective dose. High consumption of fish oil has been linked to increased risk of bleeding and stroke in some people.
Further to this, in 2011, two scientific reports came out which found that people who have plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids in their bodies actually had a substantially a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
How Else Can Omega-3 Fatty Acids Help Diabetes?
People with diabetes tend to have lower levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and higher levels of triglycerides in the blood. This is because the insulin can’t properly assist with the uptake of fats into the cells. As a result they remain in the blood. People with type 2 diabetes have a much higher risk of heart attack and heart disease than other people.
Omega-3 fatty acids can help lower triglycerides and apoproteins (markers of diabetes), and raise HDL.
Which Omega 3 Supplements are Best to Take?
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A Powerful Natural Supplement That Targets Diabetes
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