Fish Oil superior to ALA as regards Insulin Sensitivity

Here's some interesting data regarding the differential effects of ALA
vs Fish Oil components of N3 fats.

It appears that DHA and EPA are better for glycemic control.

Regards
Randy

Andersen G, Harnack K, Erbersdobler HF, Somoza V.
Dietary Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid Are More
Effective
than Alpha-Linolenic Acid in Improving Insulin Sensitivity in Rats.
Ann Nutr Metab. 2008 Jun 19;52(3):250-256. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 18562792

In the present study, we investigated whether long-term administration
of
high dose of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is able to mimic the effects
of
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or a
mixture of
both with respect to insulin sensitivity in male Wistar rats.
Furthermore,
we intended to test whether these n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
reveal
differential effects on glucose and insulin levels.

As a result, plasma glucose and insulin levels were lowered by 35 and
38%,
respectively, in the EPA and DHA group compared to the ALA group.
Insulin
sensitivity was substantially improved, as indicated by a 60%
decreased HOMA
index after an 8-week EPA and DHA administration, as compared to the
effect
observed for feeding ALA. However, insulin sensitivity did not differ
between animals of the EPA and the DHA group.

These results demonstrate that ALA intake at the expense of EPA and
DHA in a
diet high in n-3 fatty acids does not represent an alternative to
raising
oily fish consumption with regard to insulin sensitivity. Furthermore,
a
differential effect of the members of the n-3 family was shown for
ALA
compared to EPA and DHA, but EPA and DHA revealed comparable effects
on
insulin sensitivity.

-- Al Pater, alpater@xxxxxxx
.

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