Purified Fish Oil is a Supplement that I have been recommending to my patients for many years as a “natural anti-inflammatory” for Musculo-skeletal pain. This recent study shows that it may even be helpful when dealing with Insulin Resistance, found in Type 2 Diabetes.
A Brazilian study published in the scientific publication “Nutrients” suggest that Fish Oil may help reduce Insulin Resistance and improve glucose tolerance by influencing the body’s inflammatory response.
The study was conducted on rats that were not obese, but exhibited a condition resembling Type two Diabetes, which is a disorder marked by high blood sugar levels due to diminished insulin effectiveness. In this instance, the pancreas is making insulin, but it is not being accepted by the cell to bring glucose into the cell. The researchers observed that administration of 2 g of Fish Oil per kilogram of body weight three times per week for eight weeks, reduced insulin resistance in non-obese rats, which also displayed improved levels of blood sugar, inflammatory markers, and lipid features, including total cholesterol, LDL (“bad cholesterol”) and triglycerides.
Although the findings are from preliminary trials, they offer hope for patients with non-obese Type two Diabetes, roughly 10 to 20% of the worldwide total.
The study found that insulin resistance was reduced related to modulating the inflammatory response, changing the profile of defense cells (called “lymphocytes”) from a pro-inflammatory state to an anti-inflammatory state. The findings show a link between inflammation and insulin resistance, even in non-obese animals.
It has been acknowledged that obesity leads to insulin resistance due to chronic low grade inflammation. In the non-obese model, this characteristic of fatty tissue is absent but systemic inflammation is still present. Fish Oil supplementation reversed this pro-inflammatory profile displaying a significant anti-inflammatory effect.
Despite the good news, the researchers stress that more research is needed to confirm their findings, ideally in trials with humans rather than lab animals.
When it comes to Fish Oil, I stress the word “purified” meaning that the product must be unadulterated. The first thing to look for is a GMP or a USP on the label. This relates to good manufacturing practices and quality control of the manufacturing of the product. It is not always necessary to have that label, as long as you are dealing with a quality manufacturer that self-regulates their process appropriately.
If the source is not “purified” then there is a good chance that Mercury will be in the supplement as well as other additives that actually cause oxidation inside the body. Be aware that the goal of good health is anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory.
A good Fish Oil supplement will have both EPA and DHA in it. Both of these make up the category of Omega-3 Fish Oil.
Please note that Fish Oil supplements should only be taken under doctor supervision in regards to the dosing, and the fact that they do interfere with blood thinning prescription medications.