A pilot study, published in the December 2007 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows that omega-3 fatty acids may help to reduce fat in type-2 (non-insulin dependent, or adult onset) diabetics. The subjects, 27 women with type-2 diabetes, were given either three grams of fish oil or a placebo for two months.

The women receiving the omega-3 oil had a reduction in total fat and in the size of their fat cells. Also, the supplementation also favorably affected the lipids in the blood, possibly reducing the tendency for arterial plaque formation. Taking omega-3 fatty acids reduced triglycerides and improved the ratio between HDL (“good” cholesterol) to triglycerides. There was also a reduction in the expression of some inflammatory genes found in the fat. This was a small study, but the indications are that omega-3 fatty acids can help diabetics to lose weight and to reduce their risk for heart disease.