Wellness and Healthy Tips

Children who are at high risk of type 1 diabetes can be lowered their risk if they consume omega-3 fatty acids on a regular basis, according to a preliminary research. It is published in the Journal of the Journal of the American Medical Association / JAMA.

The author states, "Diabetes mellitus type 1 is autoimum disease characterized by the destruction of beta cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. Although not known what triggers the autoimmune process, it is believed that genetic and environmental factors contribute to the disease process. "

They also explained that some food factor associated with type 1 diabetes, as well as the autoimmune process which eventually leads to the disease.

The study involved 1770 children during the period 1994-2006. They are all at high risk for type 1 diabetes. Categorized as high risk because these children have a brother or a parent with diabetes or have a genotype (human leukocyte antigen) HLA high-risk diabetes.

 They all were reviewed 6.2 years later (on average). Autoimmune pancreatic examined in relation to the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids starting from the age of 1 year. The main source of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the sea are fish. The researchers measured the children's food using food frequency questionnaires.

A cohort study involving 244 children were also performed to measure the risk of diabetes (IA) as a result of polyunsaturated fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes (outer portion of red blood cells).

After follow up, 58 children became positive IA. Adjust the HLA type, the prevalence of type 1 diabetes in the family, the total calories taken and total omega-6 fatty acid, total omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of IA by 55%. Its relationship even stronger when the outcome is defined positively limited to those two or more autoantibodies.

The authors conclude, "Our study suggests that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids are more associated with decreased risk of IA in children at high risk of diabetes tipe1 genetically."