05 June 2013
According to a new US review, regular intakes of fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids increase amounts of a hormone that is associated with lower risk of diabetes and heart disease.
The meta-analysis reviewed and analyzed results from 14 randomized controlled trials with a total of 1,323 participants who either took daily fish oil supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids or placebo (1). The analysis showed that participants supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids had increased blood levels of adiponectin, a hormone shown to have beneficial effects on metabolic processes like glucose regulation and the modulation of inflammation. The effect of fish oil on adiponectin differed substantially across the trials, suggesting that fish oil supplementation may have stronger influence on adiponectin in some populations and weaker effects in others.
The researchers commented that these results support potential benefits of fish oil consumption on glucose control and fat cell metabolism via adiponectin. Although earlier research linked higher blood levels of adiponectin to lower risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease, it remains unclear whether fish oil influences glucose metabolism and development of type 2 diabetes. In addition, the results highlight the need for further investigation in populations that may particularly benefit from fish oil supplementation, they said.
9 October 2013
Higher intakes of omega-3 fatty acids seem to be associated with a significant reduction in the risk of developing depressive symptoms in women, reports new US research.
30 September 2013
Adequate intakes of omega-3 fatty acids may decrease long-term the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis for women by up to 50%, suggests a new study from Sweden.
1 July 2014
It has long been known that vitamin K, which is involved as a coenzyme in the production of coagulation factors, is essential to the regulation of blood coagulation. But vitamin K also fulfils an important role in the activation of certain enzymes which, together with vitamin D, regulate metabolism and can combat the hardening of soft tissues such as blood vessels and help slow bone demineralization. In recent years interest in this vitamin has grown considerably following the discovery of other potentially health-promoting properties. Attention centers on research into the function of vitamin-K-dependent enzymes (Gla proteins), which are found in bones and teeth as well as in blood vessel linings, the brain and other soft tissues, where they appear to regulate cell division and cell differentiation, among other things. Studies indicate that a sufficient intake of vitamin K could help prevent the occurrence of atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, insulin resistance and inflammation of the joints, and above all could protect against the age-related loss of cognitive abilities.
