Omega 3 Fish Oil - Head to Toe Benefits For Type 2 Diabetes!

Contrary to popular belief within diabetic circles... and even some physicians, most of the deaths of people with type 2 diabetes are caused by heart disease. As you may have seen in the news, fish oil is one of the best supplements for preventing heart disease.

One of the most well established connections between heart disease and type 2 diabetes is the fact that most diabetics have high triglyceride (fat) levels and low HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Eating sufficient levels of fish or taking fish oil supplements can have positive effects on both of these heart health indicators.

This doesn't mean that you should stop trying to control your blood sugar levels and just eat lots of fish. You still need to reduce carbohydrates and start exercising if you haven't already. But eating fish two times a week is a good addition to your diabetic diet, and if you don't particularly like the taste of fish, you can find omega-3 fish oil supplements just about anywhere.

Reduce Fats and Increase Good Cholesterol:

Studies show type 2 diabetics can increase their good cholesterol levels and reduce triglycerides in their bloodstream simply by taking omega-3 fish oil supplements. The results for people in the pre-diabetes stage show that those who consumed enough fish oil either through eating fish or taking supplements, lowered their risk of progressing to a diagnosis of full-blown type 2 diabetes.

The American Heart Association wholeheartedly endorses the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, the technical name for the contents of fish oil. In fact, the Heart Association recommends eating at least two meals of fish every week. The omega-3 fatty acids we need are found in two forms, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).

While you can acquire omega-3's in the form of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) from other sources, such as flaxseed, walnuts, canola and soybean oils, these are not as good for your heart as the forms found in fish. The best types of fish for omega-3 fatty acids are:

• sardines


• albacore tuna


• herring


• mackerel


• swordfish and


• salmon.

Omega-3's - Head to Toe Benefits for Diabetics:

Cardiovascular research indicates that omega-3's can benefit everyone, even if you already have had a heart attack. Fish oils have also helped people who have joint problems from rheumatoid arthritis... a common affliction with type 2 diabetes.

The latest studies are focusing on how omega-3 fatty acids can help memory loss in people who have varying forms of dementia. Other diseases and conditions being researched in relation to the effectiveness of omega-3's include cancer, cystic fibrosis, transplant rejection, ulcerative colitis, lupus, Chrohn's disease, asthma, and schizophrenia, just to name a few.

What About Mercury?

Think that omega-3 recommendations without a discussion about mercury is a bit...fishy? So do I. Although women who are pregnant and children should stay away from fish with the highest mercury levels, there are always fish to eat with the lowest levels. These include salmon and canned tuna fish, among others. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends adding fish to your diet as well and says that the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

Omega-3's from Plants:

Type 2 diabetics sometimes have a harder time processing omega-3s which come from plants. However, these are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids as well, although they are high in ALA, the "less good" omega-3. The best plant based omega-3 sources are:

• flaxseed oil


• canola oil


• tofu


• soybeans


• pecans


• walnuts, and even


• dark green vegetables such as broccoli or spinach
  

Omega-3's really fit into an eating plan which is aimed at increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing the risk of diabetic complications which includes heart disease.