IS SUPPLEMENTING WITH FISH OIL A WASTE FOR PEOPLE WITH TYPE II DIABETES?
Increased intake of Omega−3 fatty acids has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in observational studies, but this finding has not been confirmed in randomized trials. It remains unclear whether omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has cardiovascular benefit in patients with diabetes mellitus. During a mean follow-up of 7.4 years (adherence rate, 76%)….., among patients with diabetes without evidence of cardiovascular disease, there was no significant difference in the risk of serious vascular events between those who were assigned to receive Omega−3 fatty acid supplementation and those who were assigned to receive placebo.
As I’ve said many times before, Type II Diabetes is not so much a “sugar” problem as it is an INFLAMMATION problem. It just so happens that sugar is one of the most inflammatory foods Westerners consume on a constantly-all-the-time basis (HERE). Thus, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many people using FISH OIL (highly anti-inflammatory) to help manage their DIABETES get good results.
However, according to a brand new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Effects of Omega−3 Fatty Acid Supplements in Diabetes Mellitus), taking supplemental fish oil for diabetes is a waste of time and money that’s no better than placebo. Speaking of placebo, in this study the authors took over 15,000 patients who had diabetes but no signs of heart disease, broke them into two groups, giving them one group 1,000 mg capsule of either fish oil (460 mg of EPA and 380 mg of DHA) or placebo (olive oil) daily for two and a half years.
I noticed two things about this study right off the bat. Firstly, olive oil is not a PLACEBO, which by definition, must be “inert”. Numerous studies have not only shown olive oil to be cardio-protective, but we actually understand the mechanism(s) by which it works. In other words, EVOO is anything but inert. Secondly, while the amount of EPA/DHA in the assigned fish oil capsules was a decent start, that’s all it was — a “start”. While this amount of fish oil might be fine for maintaining health in an already healthy person, the dose was too low to meet the threshold of being “therapeutic” if being used to treat a pathological condition.
Furthermore, the best diets for INFLAMMATORY DISEASES (cardiovascular disease and diabetes both fall into this category) are LCHF (Low Carb, High Fat), such as PALEO or KETOGENIC. Considering that study after study after study has shown that an optimal ratio of dietary Omega-3’s to Omega-6’s should be no less than 1 to 2, it’s highly unlikely that the Omega-3 pills are going to get people there unless they are eating foods high in Omega-3’s already; GRASS-FED BEEF, DEER, COLD-WATER FISH, EGGS from free-ranging chickens, etc, etc, etc.
My point is simply this; unless you do something to stem the tide of inflammation-causing dietary components (CRAPPY FATS, TRANS FATS, OBESE MEATS, SOY AND OTHER PROCESSED OILS, GRAINS, JUNK FOOD, etc, etc, etc), you can’t take enough “supplements” (whatever they happen to be) to counteract a poor diet. I wrote about this phenomenon HERE. Just remember that quality supplements are great, but they’re just that, “supplementary”. Unfortunately, three decades in practice has taught me that far too many people want to eat what they want to eat, and then take all sorts of “supplements,” hoping to tip the balance of health in their favor. The problem is, it doesn’t work that way, never has, and never will (HERE).
Lastly, when you look at the organizations that funded this study, they could only be referred to as industry insiders. In the same way that both the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology are corrupt organizations (as you saw HERE), so were the people controlling the purse strings in this study. In this case, all the study said about financing was that it was “funded by the British Heart Foundation and others.” Who are the “others“? BIG PHARMA, of course — the people who don’t want you taking fish oil, but instead want you taking INEFFECTIVE DIABETES DRUGS and STATINS.
I’m in a mastermind group with Dr. Vasquez and just noticed that he beat me to the punch on this study as well. Rather than keep going, I am going to let Dr. V take over with a very cool and informative 5 minute video on this subject. Oh; if you are looking for ways to get off the medical merry-go-round and start taking your life back from the ravaging effects of T2D or any number of other inflammatory or even AUTOIMMUNE ISSUES, be sure to take a look at THIS POST. Also be sure to like, share, or follow on FACEBOOK, which will help you reach the people you love and care about most.
