title: Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and type 2 diabetes.
abstract: Polyunsaturated fatty acids are of particular interest in the nutritional therapy for diabetes, given their potential role in several pathophysiological processes related to cardiovascular disease. Both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are beneficial for improving lipid profiles in healthy individuals and among type 2 diabetic patients: Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids lowers triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol. However, they might also increase LDL-cholesterol. Omega-3 fatty acids are, from the latest evidence, not related to mortality and cardiovascular disease. Similarly, glucose control and hypertension, as well as risk of microvascular complications, seem unaffected by omega-3 supplementation. Most studies involved mainly patients with type 2 diabetes, and future research needs to focus on the type 1 diabetic patient. Also, the role of omega-6 fatty acids remains largely unknown.
authors: Department of Molecular Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558, Nuthetal, Germany. charlotte.jeppesen@dife.de
authors: Charlotte
authors: C
authors: Jeppesen
authors: Katja
authors: K
authors: Schiller
authors: Matthias B
authors: MB
authors: Schulze
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D014280:Triglycerides