A new study has found that regular use of fish oil supplements and high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are linked to a reduced risk of vascular complications in people with type 2 diabetes.
The study, published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, analyzed data from 20,338 patients with type 2 diabetes who reported their fish oil supplement usage, and 4,874 patients who provided blood samples for omega-3 fatty acid testing.
Over a median follow-up period of 13.2 years, those who regularly used fish oil supplements had a 10% lower risk of major vascular issues like coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease, and an 11% lower risk of minor complications such as diabetic kidney disease and retinopathy.
Higher plasma levels of omega-3 PUFAs, particularly DHA, were associated with a lower risk of these complications.
The study suggests that the benefits might be due to improvements in lipid profiles and reduced inflammation.
While, the study indicates a strong correlation, it could not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship due to its observational nature.
