Cancer Patients Flock to China’s Hainan for Experimental Drug Trials
On the sun-soaked southern tip of China, a new kind of medical tourism is quietly unfolding. It’s not about cosmetic surgery or wellness spas but about survival.
A recent Brazilian study suggests that fish oil may play a key role in reducing insulin resistance and improving glucose tolerance, offering hope for non-obese individuals with type 2 diabetes.
A groundbreaking Brazilian study has revealed that fish oil supplementation could potentially reverse insulin resistance, particularly in non-obese individuals. The study, published in Nutrients, sheds new light on the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and insulin resistance, offering hope for the 10%–20% of the global population with non-obese type 2 diabetes.
This preclinical research, funded by FAPESP, was conducted on Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a model for non-obese type 2 diabetes. For eight weeks, rats were administered 2 grams of fish oil per kilogram of body weight, containing 540 mg/g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 100 mg/g of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The results showed a remarkable reduction in insulin resistance, accompanied by improved blood sugar levels, lipid profiles, and inflammatory markers.
Omega-3 fatty acids have long been recognized for their cardiovascular benefits, but their impact on insulin resistance in non-obese individuals was poorly understood. This study is the first to demonstrate that fish oil supplementation can modulate immune cells—particularly lymphocytes—by shifting them from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory state, thereby reversing insulin resistance.
Rui Curi, director of the Butantan Institute and coordinator of the study, explained that the findings suggest a potential link between inflammation and insulin resistance, even in the absence of obesity. The altered immune response seen in the GK rats parallels what is observed in obese individuals with insulin resistance, where immune cells like lymphocytes and macrophages produce pro-inflammatory cytokines.
The study further highlights the critical role of systemic inflammation in the development of insulin resistance. While obesity is a well-known risk factor, systemic inflammation in non-obese individuals may also contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes. Curi suggests that the primary cause of insulin resistance in non-obese individuals could be genetic, and further research is necessary to explore the full range of factors contributing to the condition.
The study’s findings open new possibilities for treating non-obese type 2 diabetes patients, offering a potential therapeutic route that avoids the need for weight loss. This exciting research paves the way for further investigations into the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on diabetes and related metabolic conditions.
The researchers plan to continue studying the mechanisms behind insulin resistance in non-obese animals, expanding their understanding of how systemic inflammation influences diabetes. If future studies confirm the potential of fish oil in managing insulin resistance, it could revolutionize the way we treat diabetes and other inflammatory diseases.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
Taxi drivers across France are protesting government plans to cut payments for driving patients to medical appointments. These cuts are part of a broader effort by Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €40 billion in the 2026 budget and reduce the country’s large deficit.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
The U.S. FDA has approved Moderna’s next-generation COVID-19 vaccine, mNEXSPIKE, for adults aged 65 and older and those aged 12–64 with risk factors, marking a major step under tighter regulations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed Friday that COVID-19 vaccines are still recommended for healthy children aged 6 months and older—if their doctors agree.
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women — a move that has sparked sharp criticism from public health experts.
On the sun-soaked southern tip of China, a new kind of medical tourism is quietly unfolding. It’s not about cosmetic surgery or wellness spas but about survival.
Pakistan kicked off a nationwide anti-polio campaign on Monday, aiming to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five as part of efforts to eliminate the crippling disease—one of the last remaining in the world.
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