Fish Oil Reduces Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors

New Research to appear in Journal of Nutrition (September 2010) finds that fish oils and diets rich in omega-3 compounds can help improve the health of people with risk factors such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, high cholesterol levels, and abdominal fat commonly known as metabolic syndrome which increases the risk of heart attack and diabetes.

The study examined the effects of placing 117 people with metabolic syndrome on four different diets (a diet high in saturated fat, a diet high in monounsaturated fat, a diet low in fat and high in complex carbs such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and a low-fat diet high in complex carbs that was supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids).

The researchers found that participants on those diets rich in monounsaturated fat or low-fat, high complex carbs and omega-3 fatty acids had lower triglycerides than those in the other two groups.

“It would be interesting to extend out studies beyond 12 weeks to confirm the longer-term effects of dietary fat interventions on cardiovascular risk factors in metabolic syndrome,” according to the researchers.