Diabetes and Omega 3 Deficiency
Posted: Sunday, February 12, 2012
by Liz Canham
http://www.internetmarketingwithliz.com
Did you know that a lack of omega 3 can exacerbate or even cause diabetes? The link between diabetes and omega 3 is this; a lack of omega 3 causes inflammation which in turn can lead to insulin resistence. Obviously this is particularly bad for someone already diagnosed with diabetes but insulin resistence can end up causing diabetes.
Not only can inflammation cause insulin resistance and consequent type 2 diabetes but it can also cause heart disease and vascular damage.
In the days before fast foods and battery farming became so prevalent, the balance was easy to maintain because animals grazed rather than being fed chemical pellets and the omega 3 they obtained in that way was passed to humans through milk, meat and eggs.
Conversely, omega 6 is more prevalent in the modern diet, being found in the vegetable oils used to produce junk food. As a result the balance between omega 6 and omega 3 has been distorted causing inflammation, cardio vascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
This isn't a case of good guy versus bad guy but a case of balance as with all dietary nutrients. Balancing your diet to include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, grains and protein and fewer processed foods, salt, sugar, chocolate, alcohol and fats is great for the cardio vascular system and greatly reduces your liklihood of developing type 2 diabetes.
The symptoms of omega 3 deficiency are:
- dry skin
- dry eyes
- irritability
- painful joints
- short term memory difficulties
- brittle nails and hair
If you a experiencing any or all of the above, try increasing your intake of omega 3 fatty acids and avoiding additional omega 6. However, if you think you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, see your doctor immediately.
If you think that a modification to your diet is sufficient, avoid vegetable oils and foods which may contain them or have been fried in them; olive oil is a very healthy alternative but don't use the extra virgin variety for frying as it develops a bitter taste.
Increase your intake of walnuts, flaxseeds, free range eggs and any oily fish such as mackerel, salmon and sardines in order to reduce your risk of diabetes and omega 3 deficiency.
For more information on a diabetic weight loss diet visit Liz Canham's website Good Diabetic Diet.
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