EPA Reverses Insulin Resistance by Modulation of Adipose Tissue Inflammation

If you are about my age, your mother probably did not tell you to have your *yummie* cod liver oil, did she? Turns out, that was a bad mistake, especially if - other than my mum - your mother relied heavily on convenient foods and did not have an eye on your consumption of candy and dietary fats.

The reason I am coming up with childhood memories is the publication of a study by Kalupahan et al. (Kalupahan. 2010) which confirms the positive effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on prevention (P) and reversal (R) of high saturated-fat (HF) diet-induced obesity and glucose-insulin homeostasis. 

In contrast [to the mice fed a high fat diet without supplemental EPA], mice fed the HF-EPA-P diet maintained normal glucose tolerance despite weight gain compared with the LF group. Whereas the HF group developed hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, both HF-EPA groups (P and R) exhibited normal glycemia and insulinemia. Further, plasma adiponectin concentration was lower in the HF group but was comparable in the LF and HF-EPA groups, suggesting a role of EPA in preventing and improving insulin resistance induced by HF feeding. Further analysis of adipose tissue adipokine levels and proteomic studies in cultured adipocytes indicated that dietary EPA supplementation of HF diets was associated with reduced adipose inflammation and lipogenesis and elevated markers of fatty acid oxidation.

Bottom line: Even if you are not used to it, you better get yourself some Cod Liver Oil, Fish Oil or Flaxseed if your diet puts you at risk of developing insulin resistance and diabetes