Children who regularly consumed foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, 55% less likely to suffer from diabetes.
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids protect against diabetes type 1 diabetes children with a genetic predisposition to the disease. The inclusion in the diet of fatty fish, walnuts, linen oil and other sources of omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of youthful diabetes twice, informs Journal of the American Medical Association.
Scientists from the University of Colorado (University of Colorado) studied the effect of diet on the health of children with a high risk of developing diabetes type 1 diabetes. In total, the study involved 1779 children, next-of-kin whom suffered from diabetes, or carrying the genes of predisposition to diabetes. Information about the children’s diet was provided by their parents.
The study lasted 12 years. At least once a year the children took a blood test to detect antibodies to the beta cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. These antibodies are produced in autoimmune disorders, underlying diabetes mellitus type 1.
Over the observation period diabetes developed in 58 children.
It was found that children who regularly consumed foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, 55% less likely to have been ill with type 1 diabetes, said study leader Jill Norris (Jill Norris).
In the next phase of studies, Norris and his colleagues determined the content of omega-3 fatty acids in the membranes of red blood cells 244 children. It turned out that the children in the cells which contained large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, 37% less likely to have diabetes type 1.
The mechanism of the protective effect of omega-3 fatty acids is unknown. It is assumed that they act on the enzymes involved in the development of inflammation. The latter is considered one of the starting factors of type 1 diabetes. Diabetes type 1 diabetes is characterized by absolute deficiency of the hormone of the pancreas, so patients need regular insulin injections. The disease occurs quite often: in the UK there are about 250 thousand people suffering from this disease.
