Do Omega-3 Fatty Acids Decrease the Risks for Type 1 Diabetes in Kids?

Do Omega-3 fatty acids decrease the risks for kids to develop Type 1 Diabetes? Researchers asked just that question. In a recent press release, they detailed their findings. Yes, they said, omega-3 fatty acids do decrease the risk for type 1 diabetes in children who are genetically predisposed to developing diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes affects an estimated 125,000 children under the age of 19 in America. Type 1 Diabetes develops when the body's immune system "malfunctions." The body targets the pancreas and kills the cells that make insulin. Our bodies need insulin to break down and store energy. Without it, fats and glucose stays in our blood and can cause other problems.

This study was done between 1994 and 2006. They targeted their research towards kids who were already at a high risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes. Researchers followed over 1,700 children. They were studied for six years.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish, flaxseed, canola and soybean oil, and flaxseeds and walnuts.

The children involved in the study were tested annually for specific antibodies that could be a precursor to diabetes autoimmunity. (Diabetes autoimmunity is a precursor to actually getting diabetes.)

Researchers kept in touch with the parents and surveyed them annually regarding their childrens eating habits. They paid close attention to those kids that had a higher consumption of omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.

Children who ate a higher amount of omega-3 acids had a lower risk of developing diabetes immunity, and diabetes. "Our study suggests that higher consumption of total omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a lower risk of diabetes autoimmunity in children at an increased genetic risk of type 1 diabetes," said Jill Norris, PhD, professor of preventive medicine and biometrics at the UCDHSC's School of Medicine and lead author of the study.