Fish
Oil Reduces Cholesterol in Diabetes Patients
Fish
oil supplements could help reduce the bad cholesterol in the blood of
people with diabetes.
The
Danish scientists maintained that as people with type 2 diabetes have
high levels of fat in their blood, as well as lower levels of HDL
("good") cholesterol, the results suggest that diabetics
could "partially correct" their condition with the addition
of fish oils to their diet.
The
study involved 42 adults with type 2 diabetes who were randomized to
take either a 4g daily supplement of fish oil or a similar capsule of
corn oil for 8 weeks preceded by a 4-week run-in period of corn oil
supplementation. Blood was drawn before and after the 8-week
intervention period. Plasma lipoproteins, including LDL and HDL
subclasses, were separated by ultracentrifugation.
The
researchers found that those who took the fish oil supplement for
eight weeks lowered their levels of triacylglycerol (TAG), a fatty
substance linked to heart disease. Both HDL-2b cholesterol and HDL-2a
cholesterol (two sub-types of ‘good’ cholesterol) rose compared to
those taking the corn oil. The ratio of LDL to HDL fell by nearly 1
per cent among patients taking fish oil supplements, and rose 4 per
cent among those taking corn oil.
However
the team observed no significant effects of fish oil on LDL
cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, or the concentration of small dense LDL
particles, linked to symptoms of heart disease.
The
researchers concluded: “Fish oil supplementation may partially
correct the dyslipidemia (abnormal blood fats) of type 2 diabetic
patients. However, the very important aspect of diabetic dyslipidemia
- the predominance of small dense LDL particles - was unaffected by
fish oil.” Diabetes
Care 2002;25:1704-1708
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FACT
One
of the greatest benefits of exercise is that it strengthens your heart
and its ability to pump oxygenated blood to the body. Increasing the
amount of oxygen supplied to the brain reduces anxiety and stress,
helps fight depression and improves memory. It also causes the brain
to release endorphins, or `feel good' chemicals, that make you feel
calmer and better equipped to handle stressful situations.
Physical
activity is good for what ails you, adding years to your life and life
to your years.
