We’ve all heard that omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and certain nuts and seeds, are good for our health.
But did you know they could also help in the fight against obesity?
That’s what scientists from a Canadian university discovered in a study with mice. They found that increasing omega-3 levels can help balance sugar levels in the body and reduce fat stored in the liver.
The Trouble with Sugar and Fat
Our bodies use sugar for energy. We get it from the food we eat, and it travels around our bodies in our blood.
When the amount of sugar in our blood is just right, we feel energetic and healthy. However, when there’s too much sugar in our blood, we can become sick. This condition is known as diabetes.
To keep our sugar levels balanced, our body uses two special substances: insulin and glucagon. These two work together to make sure our blood doesn’t have too much or too little sugar.
In people who are obese, the body often struggles to balance these substances, leading to high blood sugar levels.
Our liver is also important in managing our sugar levels. It stores sugar when we have too much and releases it when we need more.
But, when there’s too much fat stored in the liver, it can’t do its job properly. This situation can lead to a disease known as fatty liver disease.
Omega-3 to the Rescue
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fat that our bodies need but can’t make on their own. That’s why it’s important to get them from our diet.
Fish, such as salmon and tuna, are rich in omega-3. You can also find omega-3 in some nuts and seeds, as well as in supplements.
In a recent study, a team of scientists led by Dr. André Marette at Laval University in Quebec, Canada, looked at how omega-3 might help obese mice.
They used a special technique to increase the amount of omega-3 in the mice’s bodies without changing their diet.
The Discovery
The scientists found that when the mice had more omega-3, their bodies were better at balancing insulin and glucagon.
This meant that their blood sugar levels were healthier. The mice also had less fat stored in their livers.
In other words, increasing omega-3 levels helped to address two big problems in obese mice: high blood sugar levels and fatty liver disease.
The researchers published their findings in a science journal called Function.
The Big Picture
While this study is a step in the right direction, more work is needed to see if the same thing happens in people. If it does, it could change the way we manage obesity and related health problems.
It’s also a good reminder of the importance of a balanced diet. Including omega-3-rich foods in our meals could go a long way in keeping us healthy.
In the meantime, remember to eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients your body needs. That includes omega-3 fatty acids.
If you’re not sure how to do this, consider speaking to a dietitian or your doctor. They can help you make sense of nutrition and create a diet plan that works for you.
If you care about weight management, please read studies about diets that could boost your gut health and weight loss, and 10 small changes you can make today to prevent weight gain.
For more information about obesity, please see recent studies about low-carb keto diet could manage obesity effectively and results showing popular weight loss diet linked to heart disease and cancer.
The study was published in Function.
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