The hypotriglyceridemic effect of fish oil in adult-onset diabetes without adverse glucose control

Diabetic control as judged by five criteria did not deteriorate after 6 months of fish oil compared to 6 months of olive oil supplementation in 16 patients with NIDDM who were eating a low fat, high complex carbohydrate diet. Plasma total and VLDL triglyceride and cholesterol decreased significantly after fish oil supplementation; plasma total and HDL cholesterol concentrations did not change. The LDL cholesterol level was significantly increased with fish oil supplementation, suggesting that patients with NIDDM who are given a fish oil supplement to decrease the plasma total and VLDL triglyceride levels may also need further dietary and/or pharmaceutical therapy to maintain an LDL cholesterol level compatible with a low risk of coronary disease. The study emphasizes the safe use of fish oil over a 6-month period in diabetic patients.