Adding omega-3 fish oils into the daily diet can be part of an overall plan to improve health and manage diabetes. There are foods that contain high amounts of omega-3 or fish oil supplements can be taken. However, since diabetes is a serious medical condition, it is best to check with a health care provider before making any changes to diet.
Identification
Diabetes is diagnosed when the body does not have enough insulin or cannot use it. There are two main types of diabetes -- type 1 and type 2. Type 1, which is usually diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood, occurs because the body does not produce insulin, states the American Academy of Family Physicians. Type 2 is usually diagnosed later in life and occurs when the body does not make enough insulin, or is unable to use it.
When the body does not have enough insulin or cannot use insulin, blood sugar levels can get too high. High blood sugar levels can cause damage to blood vessels, a rise in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, nerve damage, blindness, amputations and many other complications. A healthy diet that includes fish oils is a major component of an overall treatment plan.
Considerations
Omega-3 fish oils or fatty acids are a type of fat the body needs for survival; however, since the body does not produce them they must be obtained through diet. Omega 3 fatty acids are found in fish, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut, sturgeon, mullet, bluefish, anchovy, sardines, herring, trout as well as some plants and nut oils. They may help to manage inflammation and are required for proper brain function. A lack of omega-3 fatty acids can lead to fatigue, poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings, depression and poor circulation.
Features
The main use of diet for managing diabetes is to keep blood sugar levels in check. Since each case is different, every patient will need to test before and after meals to see how blood sugar levels respond and this includes after eating fish oils. However, according to the Medline Plus website, fish oil does not appear to help control blood sugar levels and so it is not effective in managing diabetes directly. However, individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk for heart disease than those without diabetes and this is where consuming fish oils can help.
Benefits
Omega 3 fatty acids and fish oils have been shown to reduce the occurrence of blood clots which can block arteries and hinder the ability of plaque to stick along artery walls, which causes atherosclerosis or a hardening of the arteries. Fish oils appear to increase the amount of the good kind of cholesterol, lower the bad kind of cholesterol and decrease triglyceride levels.
Since many diabetics also have high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, eating a diet rich in fatty acids can help to prevent heart related complications, states the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Solution
Two types of fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA and docosahexaenoic acid or DHA found in foods and fish oils, reduce the risk for heart disease and lower blood pressure. Individuals with and without diabetes who consume fish oils, appear to have a reduced risk of heart related complications and death after a heart attack occurs, claims the Cleveland Clinic. The goal is to consume two servings per week of fish high in omega 3 fatty acids or consume fish oils. Consuming flax seed oil or ground flax seed is a good option for diabetics following a vegetarian diet. For safety, remember to check with a physician first before making any changes to diet especially when there is a serious medical condition such as diabetes present.
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