title: Fatty fish in the diet of patients with type 2 diabetes: comparison of the metabolic effects of foods rich in n-3 and n-6 fatty acids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dietary advice, including modification of dietary fat quality, is the basis of treatment of diabetes, but there is some uncertainty about the optimal amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-6 (omega-6) and n-3 (omega-3) series.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to compare the effects of diets rich in n-3 or n-6 fatty acids on glucose and lipoprotein metabolism in type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a crossover study during 2 consecutive 3.5-wk periods, the participants were provided diets with identical nutrient compositions containing either a high proportion of n-3 (n-3 diet) or n-6 (n-6 diet) fatty acids through the inclusion of fatty fish or lean fish and fat containing linoleic acid, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blood glucose concentrations at fasting and during the day were lower with the n-6 than with the n-3 diet (P = 0.009 and P = 0.029, respectively), and the area under the insulin curve during the day was significantly higher (P = 0.03) with the n-6 diet. Both diets showed similar effects on insulin sensitivity and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 concentrations. The reductions in VLDLs and serum apolipoprotein B concentrations were more pronounced after the n-3 diet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The risk related to the moderately higher blood glucose concentrations with the n-3-enriched diet may be counteracted by positive effects with regard to lipoprotein concentrations. An increase in long-chain n-3 fatty acids from fatty fish, and of n-6 fatty acids from linoleic acid, may be recommended for patients with type 2 diabetes.
authors: Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Brita E
authors: BE
authors: Karlström
authors: Anette E
authors: AE
authors: Järvi
authors: Liisa
authors: L
authors: Byberg
authors: Lars G
authors: LG
authors: Berglund
authors: Bengt O H
authors: BO
authors: Vessby