Type 2 diabetes has become an epidemic in much of the world. Clearly, diet and exercise are two of the most important factors in preventing this devastating disease. Now research suggests that people who consume more omega-3 fatty acids like those found in fish and flaxseeds are less likely to develop this metabolic disorder. In one study Harvard researchers tested the blood of more than 3,000 older Americans. In particular they were analyzing levels of EPA, DHA and ALA, which is an abbreviation for alpha-linolenic acid. The participants with the highest levels of omega-3 fats were the least likely to develop type 2 diabetes over the next decade. These findings were bolstered by a study from Singapore, which also found that people consuming more ALA from their diet had a substantially lower rate of developing type 2 diabetes over the course of 10 years.
[American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, online May 18, 2011]
