BOCHUM, Germany—In subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, six weeks of supplementation with omega–3 fatty acids reduced the postprandial decrease in macrovascular function relative to placebo, and improved postprandial microvascular function, according to a recent German study (Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91:808-813). In a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover manner, 34 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus received daily either 2 g of purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/ docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (termed omega–3 fatty acids) or olive oil (placebo) for six weeks.
Fasting vascular function remained unchanged after omega-3 fatty acids and placebo. Postprandial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) decreased from fasting after placebo, with a maximum decrease (38 percent) at four hours—an effect that was significantly reduced by omega–3 fatty acid supplementation. Reactive hyperemia remained unchanged after placebo, whereas it improved significantly after omega–3 fatty acids supplementation.
