Diabetic women gain significant health benefits from eating fish.

2003 MAY 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Eating fish regularly reduced the risk of heart disease in diabetic women by as much as 64%, according to new study.

"We found that women with type 2 diabetes who ate more fish had significantly lower risk of coronary heart disease and total death than those who rarely ate fish," said Frank B. Hu, MD, lead author and associate professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. "Previous studies have found that fish consumption reduces risk of heart disease in a largely healthy population. This is the first study to look at the relationship among diabetic patients, who have very high risk of heart disease."

Findings were reported in the March 31, 2003, rapid-access issue of Circulation.

The American Heart Association recommends that adults, except pregnant women, eat two servings of fish a week. For those with, or at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), supplementing fish in the diet with fish oil capsules may be advisable in consultation with a physician.

Also known as fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids from fish have been shown to reduce the risk of irregular heartbeats that can lead to sudden death, decrease blood triglyceride levels, improve the functions of blood vessels and reduce blood clot formation. These effects are particularly important for reducing risk for CVD among diabetics.

Even so, few data were available to confirm that diabetics who ate fish would receive the same benefits as people without diabetes who ate fish, Hu said. In addition, there was concern that fish oil might worsen control of glucose among diabetic patients.

Hu and colleagues analyzed data from women with diabetes participating in the Nurses' Health Study, which was established in 1976 when 121,700 female registered nurses completed a questionnaire about their medical history and lifestyle. Every 2 years, follow-up questionnaires have been mailed to update information on risk factors and any new health problems. The current study includes 5103 women who reported physician-diagnosed type 2 diabetes on any questionnaire from 1976-94. Women with a history of heart disease, stroke or cancer reported on the 1980 questionnaire (when diet was first assessed) or before were excluded.