Discover the unexpected effects when you drink fish oil every day

Fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has long been of interest for its effects on the heart and brain.

Now, new research recently published in the scientific journal Research - A Science Partner Journal has uncovered another notable benefit of fish oil, according to the medical news site News Medical.

Experts from Zhejiang University (China) analyzed data from 48,358 people with prediabetes from the UK Biobank to investigate the relationship between fish oil supplementation and type 2 diabetes.

Among the participants, 16,180 people had a habit of taking fish oil daily.

During an average follow-up period of 7.8 years, 3,385 prediabetic patients progressed to diabetes.

The results were surprising; the authors found that people who habitually took fish oil daily had a 9% lower risk of developing diabetes, according to News Medical.

The study has uncovered another notable benefit of fish oil.

Photo: AI

Why does taking fish oil help prevent prediabetes from developing into diabetes?

Upon further investigation, the authors discovered that two components of fish oil, DHA and EPA fatty acids, are the main agents that help the body utilize sugar more efficiently, through three pathways:

It increases the transport of sugar out of the blood into the muscles. DHA and EPA activate GLUT4, a protein considered a "gateway" for sugar to enter the muscles from the blood – for the muscles to use as energy. As a result, sugar does not accumulate in the blood.

Increase the efficiency of converting sugar into energy.   DHA and EPA increase the activity of enzymes that promote the conversion of sugar into energy. At the same time, they inhibit enzymes that hinder the burning of sugar. This helps reduce excess sugar in the blood.

They promote glucose storage in muscles. DHA and EPA also support glycogen synthesis—a form of glucose storage in muscles—helping to maintain energy without raising blood sugar levels.

The study authors concluded that fish oil may indeed have the effect of delaying or preventing the progression from prediabetes to full-blown diabetes.

With these results, fish oil becomes a simple, safe, yet effective strategy for preventing diabetes. At the same time, it opens new avenues in drug research by correctly activating the "gateways" through which glucose enters cells.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phat-hien-tac-dung-khong-ngo-khi-ban-uong-dau-ca-moi-ngay-185250822230934007.htm