New research out of Spain has found adults with type 2 diabetes can decrease their risk of developing diabetic retinopathy by increasing their intake of dietary omega-3 fatty acids.
According to researchers, middle-aged and older adults with type 2 diabetes that intake at least 500 mg/d of dietary long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids — about two weekly servings of oily fish — have a decreased risk of diabetic retinopathy. The findings are part of the randomized clinical trial Prevencion con Dieta Mediterranea (PREDIMED) in Spain, which tested Mediterranean diets supplemented with extra virgin olive oil or nuts versus a control diet for primary cardiovascular prevention. Researchers found participants that met the 500 mg/d or greater of omega-3 fatty acids had a 48 percent relatively reduced risk of diabetic retinopathy compared to those who were below 500 mg/d.
The findings were recently published online by JAMA Ophthalmology.
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