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Omega-3 Fats Help Prevent Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes has become an epidemic in much of the world. Clearly, diet and exercise are two of the most important factors in preventing this devastating disease. Now research suggests that people who consume more omega-3 fatty acids like those found in fish and flaxseeds are less likely to develop this metabolic disorder. In one study Harvard researchers tested the blood of more than 3,000 older Americans. In particular they were analyzing levels of EPA, DHA and ALA, which is an abbreviation for alpha-linolenic acid. The participants with the highest levels of omega-3 fats were the least likely to develop type 2 diabetes over the next decade. These findings were bolstered by a study from Singapore, which also found that people consuming more ALA from their diet had a substantially lower rate of developing type 2 diabetes over the course of 10 years.

[American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, online May 18, 2011]

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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