Private MD News

Omega-3 supplements lower diabetics' cholesterol levels

Category: Diabetes

Taking a special omega-3 supplement in conjunction with statin medications may help individuals with type 2 diabetes significantly improve their cholesterol test scores, according to a new study presented at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association.

In the study, researchers tested the effectiveness of an omega-3 supplement made from 96 percent pure EPA, the specific fatty acid that has been shown to have the strongest heart health benefits.

The results showed that participants who used the supplement together with some type of statin medication reduced their triglyceride levels by an average of 23 milligrams per deciliter. Furthermore, the supplements did not appear to cause any negative changes in HbA1c or LDL cholesterol levels.

Additionally, the results showed that participants who had the worst control over their condition at the beginning of the study experienced the greatest improvements in cholesterol levels. The researchers said this proves how effective omega-3 supplementation can be for diabetics.