Abstract
BackgroundThe effects of fish consumption and n-3 fatty acids on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have recently been debated.ObjectiveWe explored the risk of T2DM in relation to consumption of lean fish, fatty fish, fish products and total fish as well as cod liver oil supplements in a representative sample of Norwegian women.DesignThis was a prospective population based cohort study in 33740 women free of T2DM, stroke, angina or heart attack and with detailed information on important co-variates and dietary intake at baseline. Risk ratios and corresponding 95% CI were estimated using Poisson regression with log-person time as offset.ResultsLean fish consumption was inversely associated with T2DM compared to zero intake. Risk ratios and 95% CI for intake of 75 and 100 g lean fish per day were 0.71 (0.51, 0.98) and 0.67 (0.46, 0.98), respectively. There was no effect of intake of fatty fish, fish products, total fish or use of cod liver oil supplements on the risk of T2DM.ConclusionLean fish consumption of 75–100 g/d had a beneficial effect on T2DM. It remains unclear whether lean fish in itself has a protective effect on T2DM or that lean fish consumers have a protective life-style that we were not able to take into account in this study. Unfavorable effects of fatty fish consumption or use of cod liver oil supplements on T2DM were not observed.
Highlights
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing in epidemic proportions worldwide and is becoming a global health challenge
Lean fish consumption was inversely associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared to zero intake
There was no effect of intake of fatty fish, fish products, total fish or use of cod liver oil supplements on the risk of T2DM
Summary
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing in epidemic proportions worldwide and is becoming a global health challenge. A number of prospective studies have explored associations between fish consumption and risk of T2DM, with conflicting findings [5,6,7,8]. Several systematic reviews and meta-studies have concluded that there are indications of geographical differences in observed effects of fish consumption, with studies from Asia showing a protective effect whereas studies from North America/Europe indicating an increased risk of T2DM with fish consumption [9,10]. A recent nested case-cohort study across eight European countries concluded no effect of total fish consumption on T2DM and indicated a protective effect of fatty fish consumption on the development of T2DM [11]. The effects of fish consumption and n-3 fatty acids on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have recently been debated
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