11.18.07
Omega-3 prevents type 1 diabetes in children
Another reason to make sure your family eats enough omega-3:
Multiple studies have been published recently showing the power of omega-3 fatty acids to prevent Type 1 Diabetes in children. For example, one study out of Norway found that children with Type 1 Diabetes were far less likely to have received omega-3 supplements as infants than children that did not have Diabetes.
To examine the effects of Omega-3 supplementation on Diabetes in children, researchers at the University of Colorado began a HUGE study entitled, Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY):
The study was conducted in Denver, from January 1994 through November 2006 and included 1,770 children at increased risk for type 1 diabetes, defined as either possession of HLA genotype for a high diabetes risk or having a sibling or parent with type 1 diabetes. The mean age at follow-up was 6.2 years.
Researchers found a very significantly decreased risk in islet autoimmunity (a risk-indicator of Type-1 Diabetes) in children that received Omega-3 fatty acids:
The researchers found that 58 children developed islet autoimmunity during follow-up. Adjusting for HLA genotype, family history of type 1 diabetes, caloric intake, and omega-6 fatty acid intake, omega-3 fatty acid intake was associated with a 55% reduced risk of islet autoimmunity.
In the second part of the study, researchers examined another factor related to islet autoimmunity, the omega-3 content of erythrocyte membranes:
The researchers found that the omega-3 fatty acid content of erythrocyte membranes was associated with a 37% decreased risk of islet autoimmunity.
If you have Diabetes in your family history, you may want to consider giving your children pharmaceutical-grade fish oil.
flax seed said,
19 November 2007 at 9:03 am
I agree, unsaturated fats such as Omega 3 can contribute to enhance the body’s immune system and perhaps prevent the onset of autoimmune disease such as type 1 diabetes later on. A recent CNN health report online mentioned how a low fat diet (low in saturated fat, higher concentration of EFAs) could enhance the t-lymphocyte function or white blood cells that operate against harmful antigens. If diabetes runs in the family, it would be good to start with the intake of Omega-3 enriched foods. A good substitute to fish oil would be flax seed. Think that would be a much better treat for children when sprinkled over oatmeal and pastries.
More on fats and the immune system from this CNN report:
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/11/14/cl.best.defense/index.html
LeisureGuy said,
19 November 2007 at 9:11 am
The problem with flaxseed is that, like many seeds, it evolved to survive the journey through a digestive system. Ground flaxseeds would work deliver more omega-3, but I’m not sure how tasty they are. For kids, English walnuts would be a good plant source of omega-3. (For adults, the high fat content makes them rather too caloric-laden for comfort, but if the kids are active, they will burn it off.) Still, it’s hard to beat fatty cold-water fish: wild (not farmed) salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel.
Gary said,
19 November 2007 at 6:26 pm
LeisureGuy, you are absolutely correct. In order for the body to gain the benefit from the omega 3 and flax oils, you need to grind the seeds. A convenient way to do this is with a small coffee grinder or, better yet, you can purchase ground flax seed.
flax seed said,
20 November 2007 at 1:43 am
Yeah, grinding the seeds would release Omega 3 so that the body can readily absorb the EFA nutrients. Flax seed is likewise a popular ingredient of many processed food products nowadays due to its Omega 3 nutrients and I guess that its nutty gritty taste would appeal more to kids. Fish oil does have a higher concentration of Omega 3, though distributing more tablespoons of sprinkled flax seed over the 3 meals would make up for the RDA requirement. So that likely makes flax seed more versatile.
LeisureGuy said,
20 November 2007 at 6:45 am
I suspect that most kids would go for the English walnuts approach—but probably the best thing would be to use a combination of foods to keep the omega-3 balance right: chia seed in meatloaf, English walnuts for a treat, ground flaxseed in cereal, poached salmon used to make fish-salad sandwiches, and so on.