Statistics on the prevalence of diabetes in North America indicates that somewhere around 8% of the population have this disease – with a very good portion not even being diagnosed at the present time.  Most have Type-2 diabetes – a good 90%+ according to most studies.

We are talking about close to 20Million people in the United States alone – a massive group that create a significant drain on the health care and economic systems as well as a large number of whom their lives are made less than optimal due to complications associated with diabetes.

There have been a wide range of predictive factors popping out of research on diabetes including:

• body weight
• genetic pre-disposition
• sex (male or female)
• geographic location
• diet
• stress level
• age
• and many others…

Of the more recent and convincing research,  the focus has been on breaking down specific aspects of the diet including the relationship that has been demonstrated between fats and diabetes.

Some research has shown that most fats stress the pancreas by substantially increasing the level of insulin required to process these fats, however there does seem to be an exception – Omega3 fats.

In fact, there is growing evidence that Type-1 diabetes may be more closely linked with a deficiency in “good” Omega-3 fats coupled with an over abundance of other unhealthy fats leading to massive stress on our pancreas, cell damage and eventually. Though not as prevalent as Type-2 diabetes, Type 1-diabetes does inflict children to a greater degree – and now may be somewhat treatable by nutrition rather than medication.

Specifically, the study looked for links between omega-3 fat intake and the presence of antibodies that have been shown to damage the cells in the pancreas leading to Type-1 diabetes where the child is no longer able to produce insulin within their body.

Shockingly – those who ate above-average quantities of foods rich in omega-3 fats (fish, nuts, canola oil, etc…) where 55% less likely to end up with Type-1 diabetes with a reasonably large sample size of 1700+ kids over a 1-year period.

With results like that, the untold additional benefits linked to omega-3 fatty acid intake and lack of side effects with relatively moderate intake – as a parent, I will definitely pay more attention to consistency of omega-3 fatty acids in my family’s diet.

Jeff