Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce CV and all cause mortality in diabetes patients, reports study

A recent study unveiled the potential benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for individuals with diabetes. This study illuminates a previously underexplored aspect of dietary interventions for diabetic patients and their long-term prognosis. The key highlights of this study were published in the recent edition of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

This research was conducted by the team led by Jinhang Che and extensively analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) which spanned from 2003 to 2018. The cohort included a big group of 16,539 individuals who either were prediabetic or diabetic. These participants were categorized into three groups based on their levels of omega-3 PUFAs. Over a median follow-up period of 8.42 years, this study observed a remarkable correlation, where those with higher levels of omega-3 PUFAs underwent significantly reduced risks of both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The reduction in risk was particularly pronounced in the second and third tertiles when compared to the reference group.

The study employed sophisticated statistical analyses to analyze in depth regarding the relationship between omega-3 PUFAs and mortality. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves unveiled a negative nonlinear association by suggesting that the benefits of omega-3 PUFAs were dose-dependent. Subgroup analyses revealed intriguing insights with body mass index (BMI) emerging as a crucial factor that influences the interaction.

The outcomes of this study identified specific types of omega-3 PUFAs that appeared to drive these benefits associated with mortality. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) were found to be the primary contributors which underlined the importance of dietary choices in reaping the full rewards of omega-3 supplementation.

This comprehensive study emphasized the significance of these findings that effectively highlights the potential for targeted dietary interventions to reduce the elevated mortality risks underwent by the individuals with diabetes. The patients at risk may be able to safeguard their long-term health outcomes by incorporating omega-3-rich foods into their diets.

Overall, the major findings of this study offers hope for the millions worldwide with diabetes, with the future initiatives that could potentially optimize dietary habits which prove instrumental in stemming the tide of morbidity and mortality associated with this pervasive condition.

Reference:

Che, J., He, N., Kuang, X., Zheng, C., Zhou, R., Zhan, X., & Liu, Z. (2024). Dietary n-3 Fatty Acids Intake and All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients With Prediabetes and Diabetes. In The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. The Endocrine Society. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgae265