Fish oil can reduce the risk of obesity-related diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, in collaboration with the center for Alaska Native Health Research at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, examined blood samples and the overall health of over 300 Alaskan Yup'ik Eskimos who incorporated 20 times more omega-3 fats into their diet compared to other Americans.
"Interestingly, we found that obese persons with high blood levels of omega-3 fats had triglyceride and CRP concentrations that did not differ from those of normal-weight persons," said Zeina Makhoul, a senior researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. "It appeared that high intakes of omega-3-rich seafood protected Yup'ik Eskimos from some of the harmful effects of obesity.
According to results from the study, which was published in the March 23 issue of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 70 percent of the Yup'ik Eskimo population is considered to be overweight or obese, but due to their increased intake of omega-3 fats they are at a lower risk than most other Americans for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks.
Though the findings show promise that an increased intake of omega-3 fats, either through eating fish or taking supplements such as fish oil, reduces these risks, further research would need to be done in order to make any definitive dietary suggestions.
"If the results of such a trial were positive, it would strongly suggest that omega-3 fats could help prevent obesity-related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes," Makhoul added.
