title: Association between omega-3 fatty acids consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of cohort studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epidemiological evidence for the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on the risk of type 2 diabetes is controversial. A meta-analysis based on prospective cohorts was carried out to evaluate this issue.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pooled diabetic risk was calculated using a fixed or random effects model. The dose-response relationship was assessed by meta-regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study showed that consumption of single omega-3 was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes (relative risk [RR] = 1.45, P < 0.001); whereas the RR for mixed omega-3 was statistically insignificant. The dose-response curve presented an inverted U-shape of diabetes risk corresponding to the dose of omega-3 consumption. Subanalysis showed that omega-3 was inversely associated with type 2 diabetes risk in Asians (RR = 0.82, P < 0.001); whereas the risk was increased in Westerners (RR = 1.30, P < 0.001). Studies with follow-up duration ≥16 years and baseline age ≥54 years showed a positive association between type 2 diabetes risk and omega-3 intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present findings suggest that dosage and composition of omega-3, ethnicity, trial duration, and age could influence the effect of omega-3 on type 2 diabetes progression.
authors.affiliation: The Center for Biomedical Research, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China.|Division of Endocrinology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Cai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Xuefeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Shuhong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Shiying
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shao
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6
keywords: Meta-analysis; Omega-3 fatty acids; Type 2 diabetes