Additional Coverage:
- A Recent Study Reveals How Fish Oil Could Help Reverse Insulin Resistance And Reduce ‘Bad Cholesterol’ (shefinds.com)
Fish Oil Shows Promise in Reversing Insulin Resistance
A new study offers promising insights into the potential of fish oil in reversing insulin resistance and lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol. Insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, is a key factor in developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The study, published in Nutrients, focused on non-obese rats with induced insulin resistance. Researchers administered fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, to the rats three times a week for eight weeks. The results were encouraging: the rats showed improved blood sugar levels, reduced inflammation, and lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
According to Rui Curi, director of Butantan Institute’s Education Center and study coordinator, the fish oil helped modulate the inflammatory response in the rats, shifting their lymphocytes from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory state. This mirrors how obese individuals with insulin resistance respond to omega-3 supplementation.
Renata Gorjão, co-director of UNICSUL’s Program of Graduate Studies in Health Sciences, emphasized that the study sheds light on the crucial link between inflammation and insulin resistance, even in the absence of obesity.
While further research is needed to confirm these benefits in humans, the study highlights the potential of fish oil as a natural way to support metabolic and heart health. Incorporating fish oil, either through supplements or fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, into a balanced diet may offer a simple yet effective strategy for improving long-term health.