Since the summer heat is upon us, I am hoping that this summer fish oil is the answer to my summer fasting. I have used fish oil for years but only after making it a weekly part of my diet. I found the fact I don’t have to sacrifice my protein and calories to take in fish oil was a big bonus. I am hoping it will be the most beneficial way to keep my blood sugar levels in check.
There’s nothing wrong with eating fish. Fish is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, though not as healthy as other omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in flax oil and fish eggs. Fish is also a great source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Fish oil is a good source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but also contains the potentially heart-damaging omega-6 fatty acid, which is one of the reasons it’s not recommended for people at high risk for heart disease. But fish oil has gotten so much bad press lately (thanks to some of the scare mongering coming out of Asia) that people are starting to get concerned about its potential to affect blood sugar levels.
The big question is whether fish oil can affect blood sugar levels. Some studies suggest that it may, but research is still lacking. The studies that have been done indicate that the fish oil has different effects on blood sugar levels depending on the dose and frequency of its consumption.
This is the third one of these posts that has been about fish oil. We’ve previously discussed blood pressure and the relationship between blood pressure and cholesterol, and there’s also been a ton of discussion about blood flow and the effect of omega-3s on blood flow. And of course, the one about the blood sugar thing.
So as you can see, this is getting pretty serious. Fish oil isn’t just great for heart and blood problems. It’s a great treatment for diabetes as well, since it lowers blood sugar, and even helps with insulin resistance, a common part of diabetes. It also helps with high blood pressure and cholesterol, and aids in blood flow. It has been shown to be a great way to lower the risk for stroke.
Now, it’s hard to say how much fish oil is good for diabetes because it does not actually appear to be a type of medication, like insulin, so it may do more harm than good. But it does appear to be a substance that’s been used for a long time for its medical benefits. And that’s not all.
A study found that those who ate fish oil for at least one month had a 41% lower risk of developing diabetes compared to those who ate fish oil on a less frequent basis. So there is evidence to suggest that fish oil may help lower the risk of diabetes in some people, but not in everyone.
But as you know, fish oil’s been available for a couple of years now, so we have no idea what its health effects might be. A large study of 7,000 people found that eating omega-3 fish oil supplements over a period of 8 years was not associated with a reduction in the risk of metabolic syndrome, hypertriglyceridemia, or obesity.
The most common side effects of taking fish oil supplements are stomach upset, diarrhea, gas, and fatigue. It’s important to take fish oil supplements without any food or drink, as it may cause your blood sugar to spike.