Key Findings
ALA omega-3 was strongly correlated with a reduction of diabetes risk which was hypothesized to be due to a modulation of insulin sensitivity. No associations between the disease and marine based omega 3 were noted. The incidence of type2 diabetes was not affected by n6/n3 dietary ratio. This study used a food-frequency questionnaire that was specifically developed and validated in the population and has been shown to be internally consistent and reproducible. The prospective nature, high participant response rate, detailed collection of data through face-to-face interviews, very low level of participants lost to follow-up, and validated diabetes case status are other strengths.
ABSTRACT
The role of omega-3 (n–3) fatty acids (FAs) in the development of type 2 diabetes is uncertain, especially with regard to any differential influence of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The objective was to examine the association between total omega-3 FAs, marine omega-3 (EPA, DHA), non-marine omega-3 (ALA), and omega-6 (n–6) FAs and omega-6:omega-3 ratio and risk of type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population in Singapore. The analysis included 43,176 Chinese men and women free of chronic disease, aged 45–74 y, in the Singapore Chinese Health Study. Baseline data collection occurred between 1993 and 1998 with follow-up interviews between 1999 and 2004. Cox regression models were used to examine the associations between FA intakes at baseline and risk of developing diabetes. Increased intakes of total omega-3 FAs were inversely associated with diabetes incidence [hazard ratio (HR) for the fifth compared with the first quintile: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.94; P for trend = 0.02]. Omega-3 FAs from marine sources were not associated with diabetes risk, whereas non-marine omega-3 FA intake was strongly associated (HR for the fifth compared with the first quintile:0.79; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.93; P for trend = 0.004). Omega-6 and omega-6:omega-3 ratio were not associated with incidence of type2 diabetes. Consumption of non-marine sources (ALA) of omega-3 FAs is associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes in Chinese Singaporeans. (Author’s Abstract)