Diabetic women do not benefit from omega-3

Tue, 29 Jun 2010
Although the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for health reasons is well known, a new study has found that women with type 1 diabetes who take greater amounts do not reduce their risk of heart disease .

The research, by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, revealed that omega-3 fatty acids, which are primarily found in fish, and are useful for stopping the build-up of cholesterol in the arteries, investigated the possible beneficial effects for people suffering from type 1 diabetes, as they are at a high risk of heart disease .

The findings were part of a long-term examination of childhood onset type 1 diabetes of people who diagnosed between 1950 and 1980, which showed that 27.6 per cent of the group were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Omega-3 intake among the participants was generally low.

Although the incidence of heart disease was lowest in men who took the highest quantities of omega-3, women who consumed similar amounts did not have lower rates of heart disease.

Tina Costacou, lead author of the study, said "Although omega-3 is typically associated with decreased risk for cardiovascular disease, this may not be the case for women who have type 1 diabetes. Importantly, our study suggests we shouldn't assume men and women with type 1 diabetes are the same."

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