A 1999 study published in the "International Journal of Circumpolar Health" found that when Eskimos with high blood sugar adopted traditional diets high in omega-3 fatty acids, their fasting blood sugar levels dropped. The study was the first to establish a link between omega-3s and blood sugar levels. Traditionally, Eskimos suffer very little diabetes; researchers note, however, that as these and other populations adopt Western eating habits, diabetes prevalence soars.
Blood Sugar Levels
The fasting plasma glucose test, or FPG, is used to measure blood sugar in people who haven't eaten for at least eight hours. FPG detects diabetes and pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are high but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. People with a fasting glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dL are considered pre-diabetic and have a condition known as impaired fasting glucose. Fasting glucose of 99 mg/dL and below is normal while a level of 126 mg/dL or above confirms a diabetes diagnosis.
Insulin Resistance
The March-April 2009 issue of the journal "Hospital Nutrition" published study results that show insulin resistance produces high blood sugar and results from lifestyle habits beginning in childhood including weight gain brought on by fast food dining and low omega-3 consumption. During the course of 10 to 20 years, these changes lead to a loss of blood sugar control as the ability of body tissue to react to insulin becomes progressively compromised. During this period of impaired insulin action, insulin secretion increases in an effort to correct the condition until finally the insulin producing cells are depleted and cease to function.
Omega-3s
Omega-3s are essential fatty acids found in fish and marine animals such as those that form the basis of the traditional Eskimo diet. These acids are essential for optimal health and can only be obtained through diet. They are important components of nearly all cell membranes and the lack of adequate dietary intake is part and parcel of the lifestyle changes that helped produce the diabetes pandemic.
Omega-3s and Insulin Resistance
Many scientific studies demonstrate the benefits of omega-3s for controlling blood sugar. The "Hospital Nutrition" study demonstrated that omega-3 supplementation increased the omega-3 content of skeletal muscle lipids. This is important because these lipids effect whole-body energy metabolism by stimulating blood sugar uptake. Insulin sensitivity was improved in study participants supplementing 4 g of omega-3 per day for 12 weeks. In addition, supplementation improved blood sugar metabolism in patients treated for hypertension. The researchers conclude that an oily fish diet decreases both insulin levels and insulin resistance.
References
- "International Journal of Circumpolar Health"; S. Ebbesson et. al.; April, 1999
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Diagnosis of Diabetes
- "Hospital Nutrition"; Omega-3 acids in glucose metabolism; L. Martin de Stana Olalla, et, al.; March-April, 2009
