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.
Antonio Jose Seguro secured a landslide win in Portugal’s presidential runoff, defeating far-right rival Andre Ventura and becoming the country’s ...
Two adjoining residential buildings collapsed in Tripoli’s Bab al-Tabbaneh neighbourhood on Sunday, with the death toll rising to nine as search ope...
Double world champion Max Langenhan delivered a dominant performance to win men’s luge singles gold on Sunday (8 February), breaking the track recor...
U.S. skiing great Lindsey Vonn underwent surgery in an Italian hospital on Sunday after her attempt to win Olympic downhill gold ended in a violent cr...
Hamas has strongly condemned new Israeli government decisions to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank, warning the measures pose an “existen...
Britain’s King Charles III said on Friday, 12 December, that his cancer treatment is expected to be reduced in the coming year, using a televised address to urge people across the country to take part in cancer screening programmes, officials confirmed.
The European Union is reportedly considering banning the use of ethanol as an active ingredient in biocidal products — including hand sanitisers — due to rising concerns about potential cancer risks, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.
Scientists in Australia and the U.S. have developed an AI tool that could transform cancer care by revealing the hidden diversity of tumour cells and guiding more targeted therapies.
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.
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised American freestyle skier Hunter Hess after the athlete said he felt conflicted about representing the United States at the Winter Olympics in Italy, sparking a public clash that highlights growing political tensions surrounding the Games.
Iran would retaliate by striking U.S. military bases across the Middle East if it comes under attack by American forces, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday (7 January), stressing that such action should not be seen as targeting the countries hosting those bases.
Several avalanches struck northern Italy on Saturday, killing at least three people, as rescue officials warned the death toll could rise with unstable conditions persisting across the Alps.
A Japanese city near Mount Fuji has cancelled its annual cherry blossom festival, saying growing numbers of badly behaved tourists are disrupting daily life for residents.
U.S. skiing great Lindsey Vonn underwent surgery in an Italian hospital on Sunday after her attempt to win Olympic downhill gold ended in a violent crash just seconds into the race at the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
A Florida university has become a new hotspot in a widening U.S. measles outbreak, with health officials confirming multiple infections and hospitalisations.
The World Health Organization has added the Nipah virus to its list of the world’s top 10 priority diseases, alongside COVID-19 and the Zika virus, warning that its epidemic potential highlights the global risk posed by fast-spreading outbreaks.
Belgian authorities are examining suspected cases of infants falling ill after consuming recalled Nestle baby formula, amid warnings that confirmed infections may be underestimated due to limited testing requirements.
Two Nipah infections involving health workers in India have triggered heightened screening across Southeast Asia as authorities move to prevent the high fatality virus from spreading beyond the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it regrets the United States’ decision to withdraw from the UN health agency and hopes Washington will resume active participation in the future.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment