Glycemic control after fish-oil supplementation

Canadian Medical Association Journal 1996; 154: 1219

Source: Toft I, Bønaa KH, Ingebretsen OC et al: Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on glucose homeostasis and blood pressure in essential hypertension: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 1995; 123: 911-918

Researchers in Norway conducted a randomized double-blind trial to determine whether dietary supplementation with fish oils rich in n-3 fatty acids to prevent ischemic cardiovascular disease can adversely affect glycemic control. Seventy-eight patients with mild untreated hypertension were given 4 g/d of fish oil containing eicosapentaenoic and doco- sahexaenoic acids or a placebo containing corn oil for 16 weeks. After the intervention blood pressure was significantly lower in the treatment group but unchanged in the placebo group, and plasma triglyceride and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group. The treatment group showed no significant change in glucose tolerance, insulin response or insulin sensitivity.

| CMAJ April 15, 1996 (vol 154, no 8) |